
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 2, 1994                   TAG: 9404020177
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

RESTAURANT FIRE DAMAGES 8 SHOPS; ARSON SUSPECTED

An arsonist apparently started a fire that damaged a strip of stores at Salem's Lakeside Plaza early Friday, according to fire officials. No one was injured.

The fire broke out about 1:10 a.m. in the rear storage area of Taste of India restaurant. A sprinkler system contained the fire in the rear room.

According to Salem fire Capt. Pat Counts, there were signs of forced entry at the rear door of the restaurant.

"It appeared that someone intended to do some major damage," Counts said. "Kerosene was poured throughout the entire business."

In all, eight businesses were damaged, primarily by smoke. On Friday, all had reopened except for the Taste of India. There have been no arrests.

by CNB