THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230442
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
An intentionally set fire that spread smoke throughout a city government building caused about $40,000 in damage, City Manager Steven Harrell said Thursday.
The damage to the City Hall annex was largely smoke-related and will primarily require cleaning and repairing walls and carpeting, Harrell said.
City insurance will cover all repair costs except a $2,500 deductible. Officials, who talked to contractors Thursday, will begin repairs ``just as quick as we can,'' Harrell said.
Elizabeth City Fire Marshal Jim Howell confirmed Thursday that ``it was not an accidental fire'' that began in three separate places in the two-story building just after 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Howell declined to give specific information, saying the incident is still under investigation.
The fire is being examined as a probable criminal matter by city police, with help from fire officials and the State Bureau of Investigation. Police are following several leads, Chief H.L. Bunch said.
Minimal flames damaged three closets and an electrical panel in the building, which houses police investigators and the city's Finance Department.
Smoke residue forced all employees out of the building for the day Wednesday. Electrical power was restored at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, and finance officials worked in surgical masks until 3 p.m. Thursday to cut payroll and vendor checks on schedule, Harrell said.
``Just sitting over there and smelling that stuff all day long is just nauseating,'' said Harrell, adding that after a 20-minute visit, ``my clothes just reeked of it.''
Fire officials said the atmosphere, though unpleasant, probably posed no danger to employees.
``As far as it being a health hazard, I don't think there probably is one,'' Howell said. ``We're taking every measure to ensure it's not.''
The annex, attached to the east side of the A. Parker Midgette Municipal Building, is regularly locked at night. Officials said there was no sign of forced entry when the fire was discovered.
An accelerant was used to speed the spread of the fire, but officials said they have not determined exactly what the material was. Evidence was being sent to Raleigh for examination and could take up to two months to process, Howell said. by CNB