A method for differentiating between a fire and the manipulation of a fire detector. The fire detector has at least two sensor units, each of which contains a light source and a light collector. A cover plate is formed with at least two light exit and entry windows. The device is used to monitor at least one fire parameter in the area surrounding the fire detector according to a scattered light method. The respective light entry and exit windows on the cover plate are connected to an optical fiber element in such a way that light from the light source of one sensor unit is guided to and captured by the light collector of the other sensor unit.