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

DATE: FRIDAY, May 5, 1995                   TAG: 9505050099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

MARTINSVILLE FIRE CAUSE CALLED UNCERTAIN

Police have closed an investigation into a fire that destroyed two former furniture plants without determining its cause.

Investigator J.S. Witherow said Wednesday that the cause will be ruled ``undetermined.'' He said it would take new evidence to put questions to rest.

``There doesn't seem to be any criminal wrongdoing there,'' he said.

The fire burned April 25 through two former American of Martinsville plants, razing 3.3 million square feet. Damage estimates have ranged up to $10 million.

Authorities spent days digging and sifting through the rubble, by hand and with heavy equipment.

- Associated Press

by CNB