Politely decline until you speak with a Rhode Island arson lawyer. The fire marshal's office is law enforcement. Any interview they schedule - whether called "voluntary," "informal," or "just a few questions" - is a criminal investigation, and everything you say goes in a report that the prosecutor will read. Many arson cases are built entirely around the target's own statements. Even innocent, accurate statements can sound guilty when quoted back to a jury without context. Even admitting to minor things - "I was smoking on the porch that night" or "I had a candle going" - can be spun into negligent-plus-something conduct that prosecutors try to pass off as intent. Do not lie, do not flee, do not destroy anything. Just decline politely, get your lawyer's name and number to the investigator, and let the lawyer handle the communication. Bank & Munns takes over that communication immediately on every case.