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Investigators: Fire likely started by a person
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Monday, July 9, 2007 10:08 AM EDT
Officials say a person started the downtown Owosso fire that killed one man and injured several others, but they're not yet sure whether the blaze was intentionally set.
Owosso Deputy Police Chief Mike Rau said investigators have determined the fire - which gutted a set of five third-story Washington Street apartments and badly damaged surrounding businesses July 4 - began in the building's stairwell between the second and third floors.
Because the stairwell was believed to be completely empty at the time of the fire, officials believe it was started by a person.
“Somebody would have had to bring something in there and burn it,” Rau said. “Whether they accidentally dropped something, we haven't been able to determine.”
Light fixtures in the stairwell were ruled out as a cause, Rau said. No gasoline or other accelerants were detected.
Rau said investigators are still talking to residents of the building to determine what else may have been in the stairway at the time.
The fire killed Greg Shire, 22, of Owosso. Four others were injured, but all are expected to make a full recovery. J's Tux and Bridal Boutique and Hair Peace beauty salon, both on the first floor of the building, suffered water and smoke damage. A tool distribution business on the second floor was also damaged.
Rau said investigation of the scene by Michigan State Police fire investigators is mostly complete. His department will continue to question residents of and visitors to the building this week.