THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 9, 1996 TAG: 9608090471
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 38 lines
Investigators looking into the charred rubble of the Sunstates House apartments have collected samples that may show evidence of arson, officials said Thursday.
A petroleum-sniffing dog showed interest in several spots, and samples were taken from those sites, said Fire Department spokesman Mike Wade. Arson squad investigators also collected samples from other areas. The samples will be sent to a private lab for analysis.
But because the building near Shore Drive and Great Neck Road was still under construction, Wade said, some petroleum-based building materials may have been inside and could be unrelated to the fire.
Investigators are using a private lab to avoid the months-long backlog at a state lab, Wade said. Results of the tests could be ready early next week.
Investigators on Thursday also studied videotapes of the fire shot by several amateur photographers. Some of the videotapes are the earliest known records of the fire that destroyed the 109-unit complex of retirement apartments. No one was hurt in the fire, which erupted late Tuesday.
The videotapes show the fire apparently started near the middle of the U-shaped apartment building's west wing. That section is separated from a row of retail shops by 10 feet. Firefighters managed to save the shops, which received minor damage.
Officials' first estimates put the loss at $3 million.
Fire investigators spent part of Thursday interviewing people who were in nearby restaurants and businesses when the blaze began after 11 p.m. Tuesday.
So far, investigators still classify the fire only as ``suspicious.'' Wade said the search for clues could be completed today.
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call 427-0000. If the fire is arson, a reward of up to $6,000 is available.
KEYWORDS: FIRE by CNB