In England, an affluent, elderly man suddenly bursts into flames while walking from his
front porch to his car. Despite the efforts of those at the scene to extinguish the fire, the man
is burned alive.
Mulder and Scully are approached by Phoebe Greene, Mulder’s ex-classmate and former
lover, who is employed as an inspector by Scotland Yard. Greene tells the detectives about
the death of the man in England, and how it is but one of a series of similar murders aimed
at the British aristocracy. Sir Marsden, who narrowly escaped being burned alive in a
similar incident, has temporarily relocated his family to Cape Cod. Mulder and Scully agree
to aid Greene with the case. Scully, however, is hard pressed to contain her
dislike for Greene.
Special Agent Melvin Beatty, an arson specialist, examines the evidence linking the
fires, but is at a loss as to how the blazes were started. Mulder’s notion that it may be
attributed to pyrokinetics-an individual’s ability to conduct and control a fire-is scoffed at by
Beatty.
Mulder confesses to Scully that he is terrified of fire, and admits that Phoebe is all too
aware of his phobia. He tells Scully he will handle the investigation without her help.
Unbeknownst to Sir Marsden and his family, the caretaker at their Cape Cod home is the
same man who gardened for the elderly man who was set ablaze in England. That man, who
has murdered the actual caretaker and assumed his identity, walks to a local bar and sets it ablaze using his pyrokinetic power.
Mulder and Greene interview a survivor of the blaze. They are intrigued when the survivor
tells them that a British man started the blaze by causing himself to ignite.
Mulder and Greene stake out an elegant party attended by the Marsdens hoping to trap
the arsonist. After surveying the hotel where the party is given, Mulder and Greene conclude
the arsonist will not strike. They take advantage of their surroundings for some intimate
slow dancing on the ballroom floor. Scully arrives at the party with information regarding the
case. She notices that the hotel security status grid is lit up, indicating a fire somewhere on
the upper level. She interrupts Mulder and Greene with the news, shattering an intimate
moment. Mulder races upstairs but is overcome with smoke. The caretaker who chauffeured the Marsdens to the party races out of the hotel with
the children and is hailed a hero.
Scully takes advantage of Mulder’s hospital stay to fill him in on her research. She
believes the arsonist uses a highly flammable accelerant, such as rocket propellant, to fuel
the fires. Scully also suspects she may have pinpointed the arsonist, a man named Cecil
L’Ively, who acted as caretaker for two of the victims. They come to realize that the
Marsden’s caretaker is the same man.
The detectives rush to the house in Cape Cod and evacuate the family. Mulder catches
Greene sharing a passionate kiss with Sir Marsden, ending his interest in her. Mulder and
Scully encounter Bob/Cecil, who has rigged the entire dwelling to catch fire. Mulder
confronts Cecil, overcoming his fear to some extent. Cecil rushes down the stairs, where Phoebe splashes accelerant on
him and he bursts into flames. Mulder and the others escape from the house and watch as it
is consumed in fire.
Cecil’s flesh regenerates itself, however, and he soon recovers inside his heavily guarded
cell.
THE X-FILES “FIRE”
#1X12
Original Air Date: 12/17/93
Starring:
DAVID DUCHOVNY as Special Agent Fox Mulder
GILLIAN ANDERSON as Special Agent Dana Scully
Also Starring:
MARK SHEPPARD as Bob the Caretaker/Cecil L’Ively
AMANDA PAYS as Phoebe Green
DAN LETT as Sir Malcolm Marsden
DUNCAN FRASER as Beatty
LYNDA BOYD as Bar Patron
LAURIE PATON as Lady Malcolm
PHIL HAYES as Driver #1
CHRISTOPHER GRAY as Jimmie
ALAN ROBERTSON as Gray-Haired Man
KEEGAN MACINTOSH as Michael
Written by:
CHRIS CARTER
Directed by:
LARRY SHAW
