michigan clifford argued october decided january respondents private residence damaged early morning fire town firefighters extinguished blaze time fire officials police left premises five hours later team arson investigators arrived residence first time investigate cause blaze found work crew scene boarding house pumping water basement investigators learned respondents notified fire instructed insurance agent send crew secure house nevertheless investigators entered residence conducted extensive search without obtaining either consent administrative warrant search began basement found two coleman fuel cans crock pot attached electrical timer investigators determined fire caused crock pot timer set deliberately seizing marking evidence found basement investigators extended search upper portions house found additional evidence arson respondents charged arson moved suppress evidence seized warrantless search ground obtained violation rights fourth fourteenth amendments michigan trial denied motion ground exigent circumstances justified search interlocutory appeal michigan appeals found exigent circumstances existed reversed held judgment affirmed part reversed part justice powell joined justice brennan justice white justice marshall concluded reasonable expectations privacy remain premises administrative searches cause origin fire subject warrant requirement fourth amendment absent consent exigent circumstances especially strong expectations privacy private residence respondents retained significant privacy interests home warrantless search basement upper areas respondents home authorized neither consent exigent circumstances evidence seized search obtained violation respondents rights fourth fourteenth amendments must suppressed pp warrant necessary search premises administrative warrant suffices primary object search determine cause origin fire criminal search warrant obtained upon showing probable cause required primary object search gather evidence criminal activity pp search continuation earlier search privacy interests residence made delay fire midday search unreasonable absent warrant consent exigent circumstances michigan tyler distinguished cause fire known upon search basement search upper portions house search gather evidence arson requiring criminal warrant absent exigent circumstances even basement search valid administrative search justified upstairs search since soon determined fire originated basement scope search limited basement area pp justice stevens concluded search respondents home unreasonable contravention fourth amendment investigators made effort provide fair advance notice inspection respondents nonexigent forceful warrantless entry reasonable unless investigator made effort give owner sufficient notice present investigation made pp janice joyce bartee argued cause pro hac vice petitioner brief william cahalan edward reilly wilson timony baughman preston oade argued cause filed brief respondents justice powell announced judgment delivered opinion justice brennan justice white justice marshall joined case presents questions authority arson investigators absence exigent circumstances consent enter private residence without warrant investigate cause recent fire respondents raymond emma jean clifford arrested charged arson connection fire private residence preliminary examination held establish probable cause alleged offense state introduced various pieces physical evidence obtained warrantless nonconsensual search cliffords home respondents moved suppress evidence ground obtained violation rights fourth fourteenth amendments motion denied respondents bound trial trial moved suppress evidence obtained search trial conducted evidentiary hearing denied motion ground exigent circumstances justified search certified evidentiary ruling interlocutory appeal michigan appeals reversed held exigent circumstances justifying search instead found warrantless entry search clifford residence conducted pursuant policy arson division detroit fire department sanctioned searches long owner present premises open trespass search occurred within reasonable time fire appeals held policy inconsistent michigan tyler warrantless nonconsensual search cliffords residence violated rights fourth fourteenth amendments granted certiorari clarify doubt appears exist application decision tyler ii early morning hours october fire erupted clifford home cliffords town camping trip time fire reported detroit fire department fire units arrived scene fire extinguished fire officials police left premises morning fire lieutenant beyer fire investigator arson section detroit fire department received instructions investigate clifford fire informed fire department suspected arson assignments lieutenant beyer proceed immediately clifford residence partner finally arrived scene fire october arrived found work crew scene crew boarding house pumping six inches water basement neighbor told investigators called clifford instructed request cliffords insurance agent send boarding crew secure house neighbor also advised cliffords plan return day investigators waited water pumped found coleman fuel driveway seized marked evidence water pumped basement lieutenant beyer partner without obtaining consent administrative warrant entered clifford residence began investigation cause fire search began basement quickly confirmed fire originated beneath basement stairway detected strong odor fuel throughout basement found two coleman fuel cans beneath stairway dug debris investigators also found crock pot attached wires leading electrical timer plugged outlet feet away timer set turn approximately turn back approximately stopped somewhere evidence seized marked determining fire originated basement lieutenant beyer partner searched remainder house warrantless search followed extensive thorough investigators called photographer take pictures throughout house searched drawers closets found full old clothes inspected rooms noted nails walls pictures found wiring cassettes video tape machine machine respondents moved exclude exhibits testimony based basement upstairs searches ground searches gather evidence arson conducted without warrant consent exigent circumstances therefore per se unreasonable fourth fourteenth amendments petitioner hand argues entire search reasonable exempt warrant requirement iii petition certiorari state challenge state finding exigent circumstances justifying search clifford home instead asks us exempt warrant requirement administrative investigations cause origin fire decline tyler restated position administrative searches generally require warrants see marshall barlow camara municipal see city seattle reaffirm view today except certain carefully defined classes cases nonconsensual entry search property governed warrant requirement fourth fourteenth amendments constitutionality warrantless nonconsensual entries onto premises therefore normally turns several factors whether legitimate privacy interests property protected fourth amendment whether exigent circumstances justify government intrusion regardless reasonable expectations privacy whether object search determine cause fire gather evidence criminal activity observed tyler reasonable privacy expectations may remain premises people may go living homes working offices fire even impossible private effects often remain premises tyler privacy expectations vary type property amount fire damage prior continued use premises cases owner efforts secure intruders fires may devastating reasonable privacy interests remain ash ruins regardless owner subjective expectations test essentially objective one whether expectation one society prepared recognize reasonable katz harlan concurring see also smith maryland reasonable privacy interests remain property warrant requirement applies official entry must made pursuant warrant absence consent exigent circumstances burning building course creates exigency justifies warrantless entry fire officials fight blaze moreover tyler held building officials need warrant remain reasonable time investigate cause blaze extinguished however reasonable expectations privacy remain property additional investigations begun fire extinguished fire police officials left scene generally must made pursuant warrant identification new exigency aftermath fire often presents exigencies tolerate delay necessary obtain warrant secure owner consent inspect premises determining cause origin fire serves compelling public interest warrant requirement apply cases warrant necessary object search determines type warrant required primary object determine cause origin recent fire administrative warrant suffice obtain warrant fire officials need show fire undetermined origin occurred premises scope proposed search reasonable intrude unnecessarily fire victim privacy search executed reasonable convenient time primary object search gather evidence criminal activity criminal search warrant may obtained showing probable cause believe relevant evidence found place searched evidence criminal activity discovered course valid administrative search may seized plain view doctrine coolidge new hampshire evidence may used establish probable cause obtain criminal search warrant fire officials may however rely evidence expand scope administrative search without first making successful showing probable cause independent judicial officer object search important even exigent circumstances exist circumstances justify warrantless search cause fire may justify search gather evidence criminal activity cause determined example administrative search justified immediate need ensure rekindling scope search may broader reasonably necessary achieve end search gather evidence criminal activity plain view must made pursuant criminal warrant upon traditional showing probable cause searches clifford home least arguably viewed two separate ones delayed search basement area followed extensive search residential portion house apply principles outlined searches iv clifford home story brick frame residence although extensive damage lower interior structure exterior house upstairs rooms largely undamaged fire although smoke damage firemen broken one doors windows fighting blaze time lieutenant beyer partner arrived home uninhabitable personal belongings remained cliffords arranged house secured intrusion absence circumstances light strong expectations privacy associated home hold cliffords retained reasonable privacy interests residence postfire investigations subject warrant requirement thus warrantless nonconsensual searches basement upstairs areas house valid exigent circumstances justified object scope noted state claim exigent circumstances justified postfire searches argues either exempt postfire searches warrant requirement modify tyler justify warrantless searches case rejected state first argument turn second tyler upheld warrantless postfire search furniture store despite absence exigent circumstances ground continuation valid search begun immediately fire investigation begun last flames doused completed smoke darkness search resumed promptly smoke cleared daylight dawned postfire search interrupted reasons evident held early morning search actual continuation first lack warrant thus invalidate resulting seizure evidence state conceded oral argument case distinguishable several reasons first challenged search continuation earlier search time firefighters extinguished blaze left scene arson investigators first arrived begin investigation cliffords taken steps secure privacy interests remained residence intrusion efforts separate entry made extinguish blaze made later different officers investigate origin second privacy interests residence particularly cliffords acted significantly greater furniture store making delay fire midday search unreasonable absent warrant consent exigent circumstances frequently noted privacy interests especially strong private residence facts interim efforts secure premises heightened privacy interests home distinguish case tyler least homeowner made reasonable effort secure home blaze extinguished fire police units left scene hold subsequent postfire search must conducted pursuant warrant consent identification new exigency long primary purpose ascertain cause fire administrative warrant suffice cause fire known search upper portions house described search gather evidence crime arson absent exigent circumstances search requires criminal warrant even midday basement search valid administrative search justified upstairs search scope search limited reasonably necessary determine cause origin fire ensure rekindling soon investigators determined fire originated basement caused crock pot timer found beneath basement stairs scope search limited basement area although investigators used whatever evidence discovered basement establish probable cause search remainder house lawfully undertake search without prior judicial determination successful showing probable cause made exigent circumstances justifying upstairs search undertaken without prior showing probable cause independent judicial officer hold search home unreasonable fourth fourteenth amendments regardless validity basement search warrantless intrusion upstairs regions clifford house presents telling illustration importance prior judicial review proposed administrative searches administrative warrant obtained case presumably limited scope proposed investigation prevented warrantless intrusion upper rooms clifford home administrative search cause recent fire give fire officials license roam freely fire victim private residence pieces physical evidence challenged interlocutory appeal three empty fuel cans electric crock pot timer attached cord respondents also challenged testimony investigators concerning warrantless search basement upstairs portions clifford home discovery two fuel cans crock pot timer cord well investigators related testimony product unconstitutional postfire search cliffords residence thus affirm portion judgment michigan appeals excluded evidence one fuel cans discovered plain view cliffords driveway seen plain view initial investigation firefighters admissible whether seized basement firefighters driveway arson investigators exclusion evidence reversed ordered footnotes see donovan dewey heavily regulated business biswell colonnade exceptions warrant requirement recognized cases applicable warrantless search case suggest firemen fighting fire normally remain within building circumstances course vary many situations actual entry may hazardous fire wholly extinguished even danger collapsing walls may exist thus effort ascertain cause fire may extend period time entry reentry critical inquiry whether reasonable expectations privacy exist premises particular time whether exigencies justify reentries example immediate threat blaze might rekindle presents exigency justify warrantless nonconsensual postfire investigation immediate investigation may also necessary preserve evidence intentional accidental destruction see michigan tyler probable cause issue administrative warrant exists reasonable legislative administrative judicially prescribed standards conducting inspection satisfied respect particular dwelling see particularly tyler supra see also camara municipal doctrine must applied light special circumstances frequently accompany fire damage searching solely ascertain cause firemen customarily must remove rubble search areas cause fires likely found object comes view search may preserved without warrant see payton new york district reasonable expectations privacy premises vary depending particularly type use building involved expectations privacy particularly strong private residences offices may depending upon circumstances diminished privacy expectations commercial premises suggest individual expectations privacy may prevail interests public safety example fire breaks apartment unit apartment complex exigency exception may allow warrantless postfire investigations necessary ensure immediate danger future fire hazard many cases bright line separating firefighters investigation cause fire search evidence arson distinction vary circumstances particular fire generally involve lapse time number entries reentries example cause fire dwelling determined administrative search end broader investigation made pursuant criminal warrant fire apartment hand may present complexities make necessary officials conduct expansive searches remain premises longer periods time make repeated entries reentries building see tyler justice stevens concurring judgment continue hold views expressed separate opinions michigan tyler marshall barlow zurcher stanford daily donovan dewey unable join justice powell opinion agree however holding tyler supports judgment commanded opinion unanimity within three general propositions regarding scope fourth amendment protection afforded owner building one questions right firefighters make forceful unannounced nonconsensual warrantless entry burning building reasonableness entry plain require explanation disagreement concerning firemen right remain premises fire extinguished satisfied danger rekindling also continue investigate cause fire also unanimous opinion investigators determined cause fire located place originated search portions premises may conducted pursuant warrant issued upon probable cause crime committed specifically describing places searched items seized issues divide us case whether entry lieutenant beyer partner regarded continuation original entry separate postfire search whether warrantless entry make postfire investigation cause fire without owner consent constitutional agree justice powell conclusion lieutenant beyer entry postfire search rather merely continuation earlier valid entry ante disagree justice rehnquist position decision tyler indistinguishable regard post tyler willing treat early morning reentries officers premises hours earlier continuation earlier valid investigation cause fire attempt ascertain cause fire temporarily suspended tyler visibility severely hindered darkness steam smoke circumstances return investigators shortly daybreak ascertain cause fire indeed actual continuation earlier valid search ibid unlike tyler case challenged entry made officers premises time earlier valid search moreover contrast tyler investigation fire origin temporarily suspended account conditions scene resumed first opportunity conditions hampering investigation subsided investigators case waited work crew scene pump water basement making entry delay arrival scene apparently nothing fact water collected basement fact might justified temporary suspension investigative effort commenced investigators scene premises abandoned fire officials case amounts post hoc justification without apparent basis reality general unless least personnel involved return premises temporary departure justifiably actually occasioned conditions premises apply test expressed justice white measuring scope emergency justified initial entry search nce fire extinguished firemen left premises emergency add departure firemen also establish presumption fire extinguished danger rekindling thereafter slight provide independent justification second entry presumption rebutted additional information demonstrating previously unknown unrecognized danger rekindling ii presumably postfire searches made consent property owner consent established searches course raise fourth amendment issues therefore concerned fire investigator right make entry without owner consent force necessary problem identify constraints imposed fourth amendment officer authority make entry context amendment might construed least four different ways first might hold warrantless search premises aftermath fire reasonable warrant may issue unless supported probable cause crime committed holding supported reference text two clauses fourth amendment member however places strict construction amendment second might hold warrantless search reasonable allow postfire searches conducted pursuant warrant issued without showing probable cause following marshall barlow supra justice powell takes position judgment position odds text fourth amendment defeats purpose warrant clause enabling magistrate rubber stamp make otherwise unreasonable search reasonable third might hold warrant ever required postfire search search conducted promptly scope limited determination cause fire reasonable without probable cause suspect arson justice rehnquist persuasively outlined basis position noted certain cases may justification requiring inspectors notify building owners inspection post fourth position one believe two clauses fourth amendment command require fire investigator obtain traditional criminal search warrant order make unannounced entry characterize warrantless entry reasonable whenever inspector either given owner sufficient advance notice enable agent present made reasonable effort unless fire investigators probable cause believe crime arson committed believe homeowner entitled reasonable advance notice officers going enter premises purpose ascertaining cause fire notice give owner fair opportunity present investigation conducted virtually eliminating need potentially confrontational forcible entry advance notice search best safeguard owner legitimate interests privacy premises allowing place certain possessions legitimately prefer strangers see sight permitting present search assure exceed reasonable bounds moreover risk unexplained harm loss owner personal effects minimized owner opportunity respond questions premises volunteer relevant information might assist investigators true course advance notice increase somewhat likelihood guilty owner conceal destroy relevant evidence seems fair assume criminal diligently attempt cover traces events event probable cause believe owner committed arson lacking justifications general policy unannounced spot inspections obtain regulatory contexts also lacking mere suspicion individual engaged criminal activity insufficient justify intrusion individual privacy unannounced potentially forceful entry entails since attempt give kind notice respondents case provide proper occasion defining character notice must given convinced however nonexigent forceful warrantless entry reasonable unless investigator made effort give owner sufficient notice present investigation made naturally owner given reasonable notice attempts interfere legitimate performance fire investigators duties appropriate sanctions permissible probable cause believe crime committed issuance valid warrant neutral magistrate enable entry subsequent search conducted manner investigation suspected criminal conduct without advance notice property owner case intrusive nature potentially forceful entry without prior notice justified demonstrated reasonable likelihood owner property conceal destroy object search prior notice provided zurcher stanford daily stevens dissenting case justice rehnquist pointed post argument may made notice requirement inapplicable owners town attempt whatever made provide notice even prove futile record foreclose possibility effort advise possibly party notified representatives insurance company board building might well resulted request friend neighbor present house search carried thus might avoided plainly improper search entire premises cause fire already identified therefore conclude search case unreasonable contravention fourth amendment investigators made effort provide fair notice inspection owners premises accordingly concur judgment fire chief see entered assistant chief somerville detective webb accompanied somerville see scene webb arrived see true tyler assistant chief somerville first arrived scene presumably observe anything also seen chief see detective webb scene earlier noted marshall barlow first clause right free unreasonable searches shall violated second unequivocally prohibits issuance warrants except upon probable right people secure persons houses papers effects unreasonable searches seizures shall violated nd warrants shall issue upon probable cause supported oath affirmation particularly describing place searched persons things seized extent however relies danger rekindling believe analysis flawed suppose justice powell also dispense warrant requirement danger present surely analytical purposes believe must assume postfire investigation supported emergency rationale rather justified general regulatory interest preventing similar fires including set arsonists prohibiting issuance warrant make unannounced nonconsensual entry home unless probable cause believe crime committed reading fourth amendment carries express purpose warrant clause justice powell view administrative warrant suffice submit provide protection contemplated clause hand persuaded postfire investigatory search reasonable even without either suspicion probable cause advance notice given homeowner purpose reasonableness clause satisfied without obtaining administrative warrant nothing rubber stamp justice rehnquist chief justice justice blackmun justice join dissenting six terms ago michigan tyler first addressed applicability fourth amendment warrant clause activities firefighters inspectors following fire furniture store divided held fire exigent circumstance allowed entry extinguish fire authorized investigators remain reasonable time investigate cause blaze also held hours officials departed actual continuation earlier investigation subsequent visits three weeks fire required administrative warrant precepts tyler proved easy apply told plurality opinion case granted certiorari clarify doubt appears exist application decision tyler ante opinion demonstrates beyond peradventure purpose totally failed accomplish today opinion far clarifying doubtful aspects tyler sows confusion broadside hold exigent circumstances doctrine enunciated tyler authorized search basement clifford home although remaining parts house searched without issuance warrant issued upon probable cause judging simply comparison facts tyler believe basement inspection conducted lieutenant beyer october six hours fire extinguished fire officials police left clifford premises actual continuation original entry fight fire term used tyler firefighters fought blaze clifford house removed containing coleman lantern fuel placed driveway home later seized marked evidence inspectors arrived thus tyler investigation cause fire went contemporaneously efforts fight firefighters first left premises early morning see reason treat delay departure firefighters arrival investigators case differently treated delay departure investigators tyler store return premises plurality seeks distinguish two situations basis differences seem trivial immaterial says interim case cliffords taken steps secure privacy interests remained residence intrusion ante may go question whether invasion privacy interest amounting search bearing question whether exigent circumstances constitute exception warrant requirement concededly search plurality also intimates firefighters nothing fight fire arson investigation begin arson investigators arrived afternoon ibid firefighting fire investigation obviously neatly compartmentalized shown fact firefighters alert signs cause fire removed coleman lantern fuel inspection later team arson investigators plurality also purports distinguish facts tyler statement privacy interests residence particularly cliffords acted significantly greater furniture store ante furniture store tyler characterized surely cliffords residence deserves characterization also well established private commercial buildings context much protected fourth amendment private dwellings see see city seattle citing cases certainly public interest determining cause origin fire commercial establishment applies equal greater force necessity determining cause origin fire home authority tyler therefore uphold search clifford basement allow use evidence resulting search arson trial ii camara municipal see city seattle supra imposed warrant requirement city housing fire inspectors requiring obtain administrative search warrant prior entering building inspect possible health fire code violations protect privacy interests building owners unbridled discretion municipal inspectors held administrative searches conducted pursuant warrant obtained independent magistrate camara supra light important public interest abating public health hazards relatively limited invasion privacy inhering administrative searches essentially noncriminal focus inspection different kind warrant established warrant described dissent case newfangled see supra clark dissenting probable cause issue kind warrant sound terms suspicion criminal activity terms reasonable legislative administrative standards governing decision search particular building camara supra one may concede correctness line cases without agreeing cases applied prompt postfire inspection conducted determine cause origin fire practice investigating cause origin fires longstanding widespread acceptance public interest conducting prompt careful investigation cause origin fires also undeniably strong investigation reveal whether danger fire rekindling assess effectiveness local building codes preventing limiting spread fire may bring light facts suggesting crime arson entry also necessary causes fire may also observable outside building uninformed occupant see green certainly reasons justify search determine cause origin fire concerns regarding administrative searches expressed camara see justify imposition warrant requirement simply apply postfire investigation conducted within reasonable time fire emergency doctrine beyond dispute firefighters may enter building order extinguish flames michigan tyler efforts control blaze firefighters may knock doors windows chop holes roofs walls generally take full control structure extinguish fire aftermath fire individual unlikely much concern limited intrusion fire inspector coming premises learn fire fire victims unlike occupants ordinary times generally expect welcome intrusions fire police medical officials period following fire likewise relative strangers insurance agents frequently authority enter structure circumstances intrusion fire inspector hardly new substantially different intrusion occurred firefighters first arrived extinguish flames instead analogous intrusions medical officials insurance investigators may arrive scene fire shortly origin ample justification exists state municipality authorize fire inspection program permit fire inspectors enter premises determine cause origin fire real sense investigation cliffords home considered result unbridled discretion city fire investigators came cliffords home justification existed inspect cliffords home fire fire investigators authorized enter cliffords home happening fortuitous exigent event control thus warrant requirement exists prevent individuals subjected unfettered power government officials initiate search warrant simply required circumstances limit authority fire investigator long authority inspect contingent upon happening event control view utility requiring magistrate evaluate grounds search following fire limited incidental protection individual privacy interests simply justify imposing warrant requirement inspection conducted within short time extinguishing flames owners away premises premises fully secured trespass circumstances search basement determine cause origin fire reasonable constitutes reasonable time determined basis fire investigators may one fire investigate given day addition fire investigators entitled wait embers gasses fire cooled water pumped structure firefighters pumped made abundantly clear detroit fire department policy regulating postfire investigations policy encourages investigators conduct investigation promptly possible property occupied place business trying conduct business inspectors instructed obtain consent administrative warrant premises occupied children inspectors must obtain consent adult entry inspect premises secured trespass investigators must obtain consent administrative warrant owners away building open trespass may fire investigators enter without consent warrant app testimony beyer capt monroe tyler majority stated major function warrant requirement provide property owner sufficient information reassure legality entry michigan tyler relationship informational function privacy interest protected fourth amendment clear proper identification attempt notifying owners allay reasonable fears inspectors impostors lack authority inspect origin cause fire noted supra may justification requiring inspectors contact attempt contact building owners inspection owners town appear unreasonable conducted inspection without prior notice owners notice simply informs building owners building entered persons possessing authority enter building yet failure notify cliffords prior entry fails advance significant way purposes exclusionary rule point fact fire investigators told cliffords unavailable gone fishing app thus circumstances failure notify cliffords seems reasonable cliffords also deemed received constructive notice agents scene neighbor apparently ascertained legitimacy inspectors visit