Ep 16. Up In Smoke

In season 6 episode 16 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, titled "Up In Smoke," the team investigates a string of arson fires in the Las Vegas area. The episode begins with the team being called to the scene of a house fire, where they quickly discover that it was an intentional act. As they gather evidence and interview witnesses, they realize that there have been several other fires in the same neighborhood over the past few weeks.

As they delve deeper into the investigation, the team uncovers a complex web of relationships between the victims and suspects. They discover that the homeowners of the burned houses were all members of a neighborhood association, and that there was a heated dispute between them and another group over a proposed development project.

Meanwhile, Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) is dealing with personal issues as she tries to get her daughter Lindsey's (Kay Panabaker) school records. Lindsey has been having learning difficulties, and Catherine believes there may be an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed. However, she runs into roadblocks at every turn and becomes frustrated with the bureaucracy of the school system.

Back at the lab, Greg (Eric Szmanda) and Sara (Jorja Fox) are analyzing the evidence from the scene of the latest fire. They discover that the accelerant used was a type of gasoline that is only sold in one store in the area. When they review surveillance footage from the store, they see a man purchasing the gasoline and driving away in a distinctive red SUV.

As they investigate further, the team discovers that the man who purchased the gasoline is a former firefighter who was let go from his job after a series of disciplinary issues. They theorize that he is deliberately setting these fires to exact revenge on the department that fired him.

With this new information, the team races to locate the suspect before he can strike again. They eventually track him down to his home, where they find evidence linking him to the fires. However, they soon discover that he has rigged his home to explode and are forced to evacuate the surrounding area.

In the end, the team is able to apprehend the suspect and prevent any further damage. Catherine also has a breakthrough with Lindsey's school records and is able to get her the help she needs.

Overall, "Up In Smoke" is a gripping episode of CSI that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the team works to solve the complex arson case. Alongside the main investigation, the personal struggles of the characters add depth and emotion to the storyline, making it a standout episode of the season.