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Fire At St. Pete Business Considered Suspicious

News Channel 8 photo by KATY HENNIG

Mayor Rick Baker talks to a firefighter at the scene.

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TBO.com

Published: November 27, 2007

Updated: 11/28/2007 07:41 am

Video: Officials Say Police Are Questioning Someone | Photo Gallery: Fire Damage

ST. PETERSBURG – Fire investigators are returning to the scene of a suspicious three-alarm blaze that ripped through a plumbing supply company Tuesday night, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue spokesman Rick Feinberg said.

The fire started at 7:39 p.m. at Banks Supply Co., 222 22nd St. S. The roof collapsed three minutes after firefighters arrived, Feinberg said.

The fire was out shortly after midnight. A crew stayed to control any hot spots.

Investigators said they consider the fire suspicious. They said the owner, Wesley Banks, said there was no power to the building, which rules out an electrical problem.

Investigators also learned the St. Petersburg Police Department had been called to the business earlier in the day because somebody had found the personal property of a homeless person inside.

"There were several witnesses who saw someone running from the scene," Feinberg said. "The police have detained somebody, and the police are talking to that individual at this time."

Mayor Rick Baker showed up at the fire scene.

Stay with TBO.com for developments.

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