TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Arson probe resumes after big blaze at Pinellas County warehouse

News Channel 8 photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

Arson investigators are determining the cause of a warehouse fire that caused $1.65 million in damage at Joe's Creek Industrial Park, 3120 46th Ave. in Lealman.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: April 14, 2009

Updated: 04/15/2009 09:39 am

A fire that caused $1.65 million in damage to a Pinellas County warehouse Tuesday night is suspicious, authorities said.

Arson detectives were to return this morning to continue investigating the four-alarm fire that destroyed the warehouse at Joe's Creek Industrial Park, 3120 46th Ave. in Lealman.

The fire was first reported at 7:59 p.m., Lealman Fire Department Capt. Larry Thompson said. The fire appeared to be mostly in the southeast corner of the warehouse, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. More than 70 firefighters from multiple agencies responded.

The building housed five businesses, including a furniture upholsterer. The 35,000-square-foot structure, valued at $1.65 million, is a total loss, Thompson said.

A firefighter cut his hand and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Thompson said. No other injuries were reported.

About 10 minutes after the fire started, witnesses reported hearing explosions and watched flames consume the roof of the building.

Phil Chivers said he was getting his car fixed at an automotive shop next door when he heard the sound of a chain saw starting up. Chivers and the auto shop owner looked out the back door and saw firemen cutting into a loading-dock door with a chain saw.

Five minutes later, flames had shot out of about 20 windows, Chivers said. Ten minutes after he first saw the flames, firefighters were called away from the building as the roof collapsed, he said.

"The smoke was so black," Chivers said. "Just pitch-black, toxic fumes."

The building's owner, Lisa Maddux, said dozens of employees have been affected by the blaze.

"There are about 20-30 people's livelihood that are depending on this building being there," she said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT