Crescent-News.com

Officials continue to search for cause of Wauseon fire

Becky Martinez
April 20, 2007

WAUSEON -- Investigators from the state fire marshal's Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau, along with the Wauseon Fire and Police departments, continue to search for the origin and cause of a fire that destroyed several buildings in downtown Wauseon early Saturday.

Shane Cartmill, public information officer with the state fire marshal's office, reported that no arrests have been made and no other fire investigations are currently being reviewed as a result of the fire.

"There are many rumors about the Wauseon fire that we cannot substantiate at this time," said Ken Crawford, acting chief of the Fire and Explosion Bureau. "As indicated earlier in the week, a complete and thorough investigation of a fire this size could take weeks to complete."

Earlier this week, fire officials reported the state fire marshal had two investigators, one assistant chief and the Major Incident Response Vehicle (MIRV) at the scene. An additional investigator and accelerant detection canine responded to the scene as well.

After the canine detected accelerants, investigators sent several evidence samples to the forensic laboratory in Reynoldsburg.

Investigators have concluded the on-scene investigation, reported Cartmill.

No further information is available at this time.