The Association's October 1928 report, which documented an astonishing 727 bombings in Chicago in the previous year, led to the formation of the city's first arson unit.

The arson unit of the Rockland County Sheriff's Department will begin an investigation either today or on Monday into the cause of the fire, Chief Phillips said.

He remained without a partner for a time until partnering with Mike Kellerman, who transferred into homicide from the arson unit at the start of Season 4.

Officials from the District Attorney's office met with officials of the Los Angeles Fire Department's arson unit yesterday.

Jim Wells, a spokesman for the arson unit, said Sunday that the baby girl had suffered second-degree burns to her cheek, along with a finger injury and damage to an eye.

The arson unit also conducts all background investigations for all prospective fire department employees as well as internal investigations.

Three people, according to the arson unit of the Fire Department, were treated for injuries resulting from the firecracker incident.

Early in the fifth season, a federal grand jury was gathered to investigate corrupt cops in the arson unit, including Kellerman.

The arson unit of the New Jersey State Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office are also investigating.

Mr. Calonita, who spent his last year in the District Attorney's Office as head of the arson unit, said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.