Peter Cook

Peter Cook joined Burgoynes in 1980 as an Associate after nine years with the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory at Scotland Yard, where he specialized in fire investigation. After becoming a Partner in 1985 Peter moved to Singapore, to open Burgoynes’ first overseas office, and returned to the UK in 1990.

Since joining Burgoynes Peter has been continuously engaged in the investigation of fires, explosions and hazardous chemical incidents, both land-based and marine, in the UK and overseas

His principal areas of work are the Investigation of fires and explosions and, on numerous occasions, he has provided technical support and advice to assist in the successful resolution of “live” maritime incidents involving hazardous cargoes and major cargo fires.

Marine investigations undertaken include those resulting from fires, explosions, missile strikes, spontaneous heating and hazardous cargo incidents involving a wide range of marine vessels from VLCC’s to general cargo and passenger ships. Marine cargo incidents dealt with include those involving crude oil and other petroleum products; refined bulk chemicals, unstable and toxic chemicals, pesticides, and containerised and solid bulk cargoes. In the latter category Peter has considerable experience of dealing with problems involving the carriage of coal cargoes.

Land-based investigations have ranged from major incidents involving chemical / petro-chemical plants and large industrial / commercial premises to smaller incidents involving domestic premises and household appliances.

Peter has given expert testimony in both Civil and Criminal Courts, and to official enquiries, in the UK, Ireland, Germany, in various Far Eastern jurisdictions, Russia, Nigeria and Malta, and in marine arbitrations in the UK and overseas.