Monday, August 31, 2009

Emergency Personnel Respond To Arson Fire

   Firefighters dispatched to the scene of a vehicle fire Saturday requested that an arson investigation be launched, as the fire appeared to be suspicious in nature.

   According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, members of the West End Fire Department caught the initial call out to the 1225 Scenic Road fire. When they arrived on the scene firefighters indicate that smoke was emanating from all four windows of the gold 2003 Honda. The doors of the car were locked, requiring firefighters to bust out the driver’s window in order to gain access to the interior of the vehicle and extinguish the blaze.

   The fire, reports show, appeared to have originated behind the driver’s seat, in the floor area. The vehicle was valued at $5,000.

   The owner returned around 3:15 that afternoon and told deputies that he had been to Collinwood to visit with a friend. He stated that he does not normally drive the vehicle a lot, but that he had driven it earlier in the day in order to ensure the battery remained charged. Afterwards, he said he parked the car and left for Collinwood. He told deputies he had no idea who would want to burn the vehicle.

   The matter has been turned over to detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division for continued investigation.

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