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Bizarre Arson Act Destroys Illinois Building, Trucks
JOHN R. PULLIAM
Associated Press
GALESBURG, Ill.
State and local police and fire officials are investigating a bizarre crime that took place at the former Butler Manufacturing site. Officials believe five vehicles found at the scene were set on fire, then used to set the buildings on fire.
Galesburg Fire Department Battalion Chief Chip Timmons said the one building destroyed by Tuesday's fire is Don Owens Landscaping, owned by Don Owens.
"They think the vehicles were used to cause the fire to the building," Timmons said. "Actually, they ran into the side of the building and into each other."
The building owned by Owens was a pile of charred, twisted metal. Two dump trucks, a flat bed truck and a pickup truck could be seen. The pickup was rammed into the side of a building to the south of Owens' at the massive complex. There were signs of charred metal on the side of that building.
There also was a white fender on the ground near Owens' building that appeared to be from a large van or a semi tractor.
The four fire scenes were Owens' building, a building to the south, a building to the southwest and the vehicles.
"This is a significant property crime scene," Galesburg fire investigator Mike Whitson said. "We're looking for everything, (including) footprints left at the buildings."
Timmons took a number of pictures as a member of the State Police crime scene investigation unit entered one of the buildings not as badly damaged. Just before 8:45 a.m., the state fire marshal's Arson Investigation Unit arrived on the scene.
Firefighters responded from all three Galesburg stations. Knoxville and Abingdon firefighters also were called.
"The water was shut off to the private hydrants out there," Timmons said. "There was no water."
He said Knoxville brought in a pumper truck with water. Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service also responded, although no injuries were reported. Multiple police cars also were on the scene.
"They're going to be pretty deliberate at this," Timmons said. "They're still looking at this pretty hard."
___
Information from: The Register-Mail, http://www.register-mail.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press
GALESBURG, Ill.
State and local police and fire officials are investigating a bizarre crime that took place at the former Butler Manufacturing site. Officials believe five vehicles found at the scene were set on fire, then used to set the buildings on fire.
Galesburg Fire Department Battalion Chief Chip Timmons said the one building destroyed by Tuesday's fire is Don Owens Landscaping, owned by Don Owens.
"They think the vehicles were used to cause the fire to the building," Timmons said. "Actually, they ran into the side of the building and into each other."
The building owned by Owens was a pile of charred, twisted metal. Two dump trucks, a flat bed truck and a pickup truck could be seen. The pickup was rammed into the side of a building to the south of Owens' at the massive complex. There were signs of charred metal on the side of that building.
There also was a white fender on the ground near Owens' building that appeared to be from a large van or a semi tractor.
The four fire scenes were Owens' building, a building to the south, a building to the southwest and the vehicles.
"This is a significant property crime scene," Galesburg fire investigator Mike Whitson said. "We're looking for everything, (including) footprints left at the buildings."
Timmons took a number of pictures as a member of the State Police crime scene investigation unit entered one of the buildings not as badly damaged. Just before 8:45 a.m., the state fire marshal's Arson Investigation Unit arrived on the scene.
Firefighters responded from all three Galesburg stations. Knoxville and Abingdon firefighters also were called.
"The water was shut off to the private hydrants out there," Timmons said. "There was no water."
He said Knoxville brought in a pumper truck with water. Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service also responded, although no injuries were reported. Multiple police cars also were on the scene.
"They're going to be pretty deliberate at this," Timmons said. "They're still looking at this pretty hard."
___
Information from: The Register-Mail, http://www.register-mail.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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