In this paper, we present a new system based on a low-cost CCD camera to detect a fire in the near infrared spectral band. After a brief description of the main features of the camera used in the study and the characteristics related to hot spots detection, we point out the interest of this imaging technique compared to classical thermal sensors used in such applications. Afterwards, we discuss the choice of the 750-1100 nm region and then we present the different experimental benches developed to validate our approach. The method focuses on the need of a multi-criteria analysis of the fire phenomenon. After a description of the signature of a fire: energy radiated, spatial and temporal fluctuations, the detection method is explained and preliminary results are given.