During the investigation of a house fire, you notice the V-shaped smoke pattern that points to the downstairs living room just left of the front door. There, you find a number of ash trays near an old lounge chair. You also find the wood frame alligator skin, exhibit A in the kitchen above the baking cabinet that stores oil and lard, and wood frame alligator skin, exhibit B, in the living room.

Explain where the fire likely started and how you know,
what the alligator skin evidence tells you, and
what the explanation might be for the seemingly conflicting evidence.
Would you suspect arson or other causes? Why?