Fire caused by 'human act' but intent still unknown
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Local firefighters and the Ohio State Fire Marshal's office say that the cause of Sunday's fire that destroyed the former Highland Enterprise was caused by "a human act" or was "incendiary.
However, Cincinnati news media outlets have reported that the fire was "intentional" or "arson," which investigators say is not accurate.
Marc Bayless, a fire investigator with Hillsbooro Fire and Rescue, told The Highland County Press Wednesday that the intent and origin of the fire is unknown, and that it is under active investigation.
"The determination of 'human act' is our way of saying we've ruled out all other causes," Bayless said. "A human being set this fire, be it an accident, throwing a cigarette, or if they knocked something over and they ran because they were scared. Or, it was intentionally set. We are not sure if it was intentional. Incendiary means that somebody set a fire. We don't know how it was set or the manner in which it was set."
Shane Cartmill, Public Information Officer for the Ohio State Fire Marshall's Office said that intent is one of the elements that investigators are currently looking at, and it has not been determined if the fire was accidental or criminal.
"The intent is what is unknown at this point," Cartmill said. "(Investigating if) it was an accident or a criminal act, that is where we are at right now. Criminal charges are possible."
Hillsboro Fire Chief Jerry Powell said that "human act" and "incendiary" is just a word choice, but neither mean intentional or arson.
"In my opinion, if they thought it was an intentionally set fire they would have called it arson. Some people seem to be interpreting it as arson. It has not been confirmed that it was arson," Powell said.
Bayless said that the fire is, "still very actively being investigated."
Investigators have determined the area in which the fire started, but they have not found the exact point of origin, Bayless said.
Whether or not an accelerant was present is also being investigated.
It was reported to police, fire investigators and Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings that minutes before smoke began to show, teenagers were seen running from the area. However, investigators have not confirmed that.
"We have not found an eyewitness who actually saw that," Bayless said.
The Division of State Fire Marshal and Hillsboro Fire Department are continuing to ask anyone with information about the fire to contact investigators by calling (800) 589-2728. Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw something out of the ordinary at or around the time of the fire, or who may have heard someone speaking about the fire with an unusual level of interest or knowledge.
Local firefighters and the Ohio State Fire Marshal's office say that the cause of Sunday's fire that destroyed the former Highland Enterprise was caused by "a human act" or was "incendiary.
However, Cincinnati news media outlets have reported that the fire was "intentional" or "arson," which investigators say is not accurate.
Marc Bayless, a fire investigator with Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, told The Highland County Press Wednesday that the intent and origin of the fire is unknown, and that it is under active investigation.
"The determination of 'human act' is our way of saying we've ruled out all other causes," Bayless said. "A human being set this fire, be it an accident, throwing a cigarette, or if they knocked something over and they ran because they were scared. Or, it was intentionally set. We are not sure if it was intentional. Incendiary means that somebody set a fire. We don't know how it was set or the manner in which it was set."
Shane Cartmill, Public Information Officer for the Ohio State Fire Marshall's Office said that intent is one of the elements that investigators are currently looking at, and it has not been determined if the fire was accidental or criminal.
"The intent is what is unknown at this point," Cartmill said. "(Investigating if) it was an accident or a criminal act, that is where we are at right now. Criminal charges are possible."
Hillsboro Fire Chief Jerry Powell said that "human act" and "incendiary" is just a word choice, but neither mean intentional or arson.
[[In-content Ad]]"In my opinion, if they thought it was an intentionally set fire they would have called it arson. Some people seem to be interpreting it as arson. It has not been confirmed that it was arson," Powell said.
Bayless said that the fire is, "still very actively being investigated."
Investigators have determined the area in which the fire started, but they have not found the exact point of origin, Bayless said.
Whether or not an accelerant was present is also being investigated.
It was reported to police, fire investigators and Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings that minutes before smoke began to show, teenagers were seen running from the area. However, investigators have not confirmed that.
"We have not found an eyewitness who actually saw that," Bayless said.
The Division of State Fire Marshal and Hillsboro Fire Department are continuing to ask anyone with information about the fire to contact investigators by calling (800) 589-2728. Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw something out of the ordinary at or around the time of the fire, or who may have heard someone speaking about the fire with an unusual level of interest or knowledge.