[Opinionating on the cause of poisoning and death in fire victims].

In the years 1995-2005, 273 cases of fatalities resulting from a fire were investigated in the Chair of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. To explain the circumstances and determine the cause of death, in each case, autopsies, as well as toxicological determinations of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen cyanide, were carried out. Alcohol intoxication status of the victims was also determined. Based on the obtained results, comprehensive toxicological and medico-legal opinions on the cause of death of all the examined fire-associated fatalities were done.