REWARD OFFERED
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Response Team
(NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ATF
Columbus Field Division, the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Norwich Fire
Department and Hilliard Police Department have completed the on-scene
investigation into the cause of the May 24 blaze at the Highcom Inc.- Wolfden
commercial structure located in Hilliard.
Christopher P. Sadowski, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Columbus Field Division;
Donald Cooper, Interim State Fire Marshal; Chief Dave Long, Norwich Fire
Department and Chief Rodney Garnett, Hilliard Police Department announced that
the blaze was ruled arson. Specific information regarding the fire and
investigation will not be released as the investigation into the criminal act
is continuing.
Investigators have ruled out accidental causes for the fire. The team of
investigators have taken photographs, recovered potential evidence from the
scene for laboratory analysis and conducted over 25 interviews throughout the
community. The ATF NRT departed has Hilliard.
"Combining federal, state and local resources resulted in an expeditious
determination of the fire's origin and cause. The information developed by
investigators was reviewed and analyzed to assist in determining the cause of
the fire. Columbus ATF agents will continue to work side by side with local
police and fire investigators to investigate this crime," said Sadowski.
"The cooperation of all the agencies involved in this case was very
important," said Cooper. "Investigators worked together to quickly determine
the cause of this fire and we will continue to work together to try to find
those responsible for this crime."
The Division of State Fire Marshal has posted Blue Ribbon Arson reward sign at
the property. The Blue Ribbon Arson Committee is offering up to a $5,000
reward for information leading to the identification of the person or persons
responsible for the fire. Anyone with information is asked to call the State
Fire Marshal's Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau at 1-800-589-2728.
ATF's NRT, comprising ATF personnel from across the country, responded to the
scene to work alongside state and local investigators. The NRT includes a
canine team, certified fire investigators, forensic chemist, electrical and
fire protection engineers, and additional specialists. This NRT activation
was the 16th this fiscal year and 674th since the 1978 inception of the NRT
program.
Contact: Special Agent Kim Riddell
ATF PIO (614)827-8474
Shane Cartmill, PIO
Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal
(614)752-7179
SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Special Agent Kim Riddell, ATF PIO, +1-614-827-8474; Shane Cartmill, PIO, Ohio
Division of State Fire Marshal, +1-614-752-7179
