A plaintiff sues his insurer for the full loss of a banquet hall due to a fire. A fire marshal's report, required by law to be filed, is introduced to identify a citation for storing gasoline on the premises shortly before the fire. Is the report admissible under the public records exception to the hearsay rule?

• A. Not admissible because it is hearsay.
• B. Admissible as a public record describing matters observed by a public official with a duty to report.
• C. Admissible only if the fire marshal testified.
• D. Admissible as a public record despite a lack of duty to report.

Answer: (B)