Officials: Arson probe continues
Published 6:48 pm Tuesday, December 14, 2010
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Firefighters spray water onto a fire at Carter Brothers Manufacturing in Hamilton Crossroads, Ala., Monday, July 12, 2010. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)
Officials from the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office (ASFMO) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) met Tuesday morning to update the investigation into the July 12, 2010, fire that destroyed the 167,000 square foot warehouse at Carter Brothers Manufacturing Company at Hamilton Crossroads.
Steve Holmes, State Fire Marshal’s public information officer, said damage estimates at Carter Brothers run more than $16 million.
“A joint investigation by the ATF and the ASFMO determined the fire to have been caused by arson,” Holmes said. “The investigation into the fire ongoing and active and every day brings us closer to solving this crime.”
Holmes said only one domino needs to fall for the crime to be solved.
“Arson costs everybody and that’s why we never give up on these crimes,” he said. “The meeting today was beneficial and we are moving ahead with the investigation by talking again to people who have information of interest. We want to look at that information again and also check out a few leads that, although small, might be the tipping point. Even the smallest lead takes us somewhere. No information is useless.”
Holmes said any suspicious behavior around the plant in recent weeks could be helpful in bringing the case to a close.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office continue to work the case and both the ASFMO and ATF are involved.
As the investigation continues, Holmes said anyone who has any information that has not been revealed or remembers other details is asked to contact the Alabama Arson Hotline at 800-654-0775 or the ATF Arson Hotline at 800-800-3855.
Callers may remain anonymous.