THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 9, 1997 TAG: 9701090340
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 33 lines
Fire officials are expected to announce today that the fire that destroyed two-thirds of the Farmer's Market nearly five months ago was arson.
The Aug. 22 blaze caused $750,000 damage to the 20-year-old cultural landmark, destroyed eight businesses, and damaged the center's office and a restaurant.
The fire also sparked vigorous debate over whether the city should rebuild the popular marketplace on its current site at Dam Neck and Princess Anne roads, or move it. Last month, the City Council voted to rebuild.
There have been no arrests, and the investigation is continuing.
Fire investigators said the blaze started in a vacant stall and spread quickly through the wooden buildings. In an hour, a skeleton of twisted steel I-beams was all that remained of the burned portions.
Arson investigators generally must eliminate all possible accidental causes before they can determine a fire was intentionally set. That part of the investigation can take several months, officials say.
Anyone with information on who started the fire is asked to call Crime Solvers at 427-0000. A reward of up to $1,000 is available through Crime Line, and additional reward money may be available through a state arson investigation fund. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
STAFF/File photo
On Aug. 22, this blaze ruined eight businesses and left a skeleton
of twisted steel I-beams.