HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986 06 24 Fire Analysis by MA Stringer & AssociatesMASA
M. A. Stringer & Associates, Inc.
}= Fire & Loss Consultants
I
Westport Commerce Center
6015 Benjamin Road • Suite 315
Tampa, Florida 33614
(813) 885-5716
FIRE ANALYSIS
� SEBASTIAN SUN TREASURE PUBLISHING
d.b.a. SEBASTIAN SUN
i
841 FELLSNERE ROAD
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
i D/L: APRIL 27, 1986
j SAFECO CLAIM NUMBER 03BO6118309
MASA CONTRACT NUMBER 04860268
June 24, 1986
for
SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY
P. 0. Box 909
! Maitland, Florida 32751
CONFIDENTIAL, PRIVILEGED, AND NON -PREJUDICIAL
I
THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED REPORT CONTAIN-
ING INVESTIGATIVE RESULTS AND OPINIONS INTENDED FOR
THE USE OF THE CLIENT. RELEASE OF THIS REPORT TO ANY
AGENCY, OTHER THAN THE CLIENT OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES,
SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED ONLY AFTER AUTHORIZATION HAS
BEEN OBTAINED FROM SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY AND M. A.
STRINGER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
o
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SE_ C_ TION
PAGE
Abstract . . . , , .
1• Introduction , ,
2. Procedures and Observations
3. Analysis . . , , . . .
4. Conclusions . , ,
Addenda
ABSTRACT
The fire at the Sebastian Sun occurred on Sunday,
April 27, 1986, at approximately 7:00 a.m. At
approximately 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., on the morning
of the fire, Sebastian Police Officer Victor W. Regan
reported that while on routine patrol he passed by
the Sebastian Sun building and _observed the front
porch light out. This light is usually 'on'. He
spot -lighted the perimeter of the building and observed
the windows in a closed position. Approximately two
hours later, at 7:27 a.m., he was dispatched to the
fire scene,at which time,the far northeast and north-
west windows were in the 'open' position approximately
"
6", however, the doors were locked. Entry by Officer
Regan was gained through the northeast window and
attempts were made to extinguish the fire. Soon after,
the Sebastian Police Chief,Gerald Nappi, and the
Sebastian Fire Department responded. Examination of
the fire scene by MASA revealed the exterior showed
limited venting out of the east and west eaves. Exami-
nation of the interior of the building revealed the
most severe fire damage was contained to the door area,
i
separating the north office and south portion of the
building. Closer examination of this wall area revealed
an area where a duplex outlet was located. Examination
of this duplex outlet did show signs of shorting, however,
thorough examination of this outlet, associated wiring,
(ii)
and burn patterns in the area of severe fire damage
revealed the shorting was an affect of the fire, rather
than a cause. Examination of the irregular burn
patterns at floor level in the northeast and northwest
offices revealed these patterns are characteristic of
v fire trailer patterns. A sample of fire debris, in-
cluding carpet pad, was obtained from the southeast
portion of the building where MASA detected a strong
odor of gasoline. It was reported to MASA this is.
the area where the police department found a plastic
milk jug containing gasoline. The laboratory analysis
of this sample revealed the presence of a petroleum
distillate mixture consistent with weathered gasoline.
Additionally, samples of fire debris obtained from the
west office area and the desk area of the west office
were submitted to the laboratory for analysis. The
results of these laboratory analyses revealed the
preseUe of a petroleum distillate mixture consistent
xX with weathered gasoline. It is the opinion of MASA the
fire was incendiary in origin, with the use of flaaunable
liquid accelerants. Additionally, it is MASA's opinion
trailers were used to extend the fire into the other.
areas of the building.
(ii Cont)
.—,
1. INTRODUCTION
In response to the April 29, 1986 request of Ms. Julie
Baller, Safeco Insurance Company, P. O. Box 909,
Maitland, Florida 32751, M. A. Stringer & Associates,
Inc.(MASA) has investigated the April 27, 1986 fire, which
occurred at 841_ Fellsnere Road, Sebastian, Florida 32958,
at approximately 7:00 a.m.
1_2
MASA was specifically requested to render an opinion
as to the cause of the fire and the point of origin.
2. PROCEDURES AND OBSERVATIONS
2.1
A site visit was conducted on May 1, 1986 by James M'.
Wark, Supervisor of Investigatioris,and Richard J. Greeff;
MASA Fire Investigator. During the site visit-,tha
scene was carefully examined, persons were questioned,
and photographs were taken of the loss utilizing a
Canon AE-1 35mm camera, with Kodak ASA-100 color film.
Some of the photographs are included in this report,
with the remainder being on file at the MASA Tampa,
Florida office. Also, at the time of the site visit,
samples of fire debris were selected for laboratory
analysis. The results of those analyses will be
( 1 )
discussed later in this report.
2_2
l
Figure 1 is a diagram of the building, not drawn to
scale, showing the locations of the various rooms
f"
throughout. Figure 2 is a front view'of the building,
looking south. Note there is no appreciable venting
"
observed from this side of the building. The debris
seen to the left in this photograph was reported to
have been removed by the fire department during over -
Ell
Examination of the doors and doorjambs, seen
in this photograph, revealed no indications they were
!:
forcibly entered. Although MASA observed no signs
�t4
of forcible entry on these doors, Chief Gerald Nappi
of the Sebastian Police Department reported, when he
responded to the fire,he forcibly entered the eastern-
most door by using an ordinary knife. It was addi-
tionally reported the top dead bolt lock was not used
for securing the building. Figure 3 is a side and
rear view of the building, looking east. Examination
of these sides of the building revealed only minor
smoke venting. Figure 4 is a rear view of the building,
looking north. The rear entrance of this buildina was.
an aluminum roll -up garage door. Figure 5 is a
side and front view of the building, looking south-
west. Note only minor smoke venting out of the east
eave. Although it was reported by the Sebastian Police
Department all doors were in the 'locked' position at
(2)
r-.
the time of the fire, the eastern and westernmost
windows on the front of the building were open approx-
imately six inches.
I
(3)
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Bathroom 1
Darkroom
Roll Up Garage Door
office
Office
Closet
Office
ABC -
Unit
Bathroom
FIGURE 1
DIAGRAM OF BUILDING (Not drawn to scale)
(4)
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FIGURE 3
SIDE AND REAR VIEW OF BUILDING, LOOKING EAST
FIGURE 4
REAR VIEW OF BUILDING, LOOKING NORTH
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FIGURE 5
SIDE AND FRONT VIEW OF BUILDING, LOOKING SOUTHWEST
(7)
.1
2.3
Figure 6 is a view of the east office area, looking
south. Note the most severe fire damage can be seen
in the center of this photograph, in the area separating
the east office and the south section of the building.
The bathroom to the left in this photograph showed
signs of smoke and limited heat damage, with virtually
no fire impingement. The interior finish in the east
office was of dry wall construction. Note the water
cooler to the right of the doorway in the center of
this photograph. Examination of this water cooler
revealed heat impingement.melting the left side of
this cooler. The broom seen in this photograph was .
not there at the time of the fire. The entrances seen
to the right in this photograph lead to the center
office and west office areas. Figure 7 is a view
of the southeast area of the building, looking south.
This area of the building is directly south of the
area with the most severe fire damage. Note the heat
impingement on the combustibles and the remains of a
copy machine, indicated by an arrow on this photograph.
Figure 8 is a view of the south rear area of the
building, looking west. This area of the building
received heat and smoke damage, but virtually no direct
fire impingement. The aluminum roll up garage type
door was reported to be in the'locked'position at the _
time of the fire. Figure 9 is a view of the south and
east areas of the building, looking northwest. Note the
(8)
most severe fire damage can be seen in the doorway
separating the east office and the south portion of
the building. Note the direct heat and flame impinge-
ment on the west wall in this area. It was reported
f
to MASA a half door was located in this doorway area,
and the debris removed by the fire department dis-
7 closed4Ionly the remains of a door hinge and a door
knob.11 The copy machine indicated by an arrow on this
photograph showed heat damage on the north side of
this machine, which is consistent with the fire/heat
i
p: extension. Figure 10 is a view of the east office,
looking north. The archway to the far left in this
photograph leads to the west office area. The east
window seen to the right in this photograph was reported
r
to be open approximately 6" at the time Officer Regan
responded to the fire call. The door in the center of
this photograph was reported to be easily opened by an
ordinary pocket knife. This door showed no signs of
forcible entry.
I
(9)
63
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Figure 11 is a view of the entrances into the center
and west offices. This photograph was taken from the
east office area. Examination of this area showed
5
only smoke damage,with limited heat damage. The carpet,
j which was located in the east office area directly
J below the door area, was removed by the fire department
during overhaul efforts. The carpet below the door
area of the west office was removed by the Sebastian
Police Department and retained as evidence. The banana
boxes, seen in the west office,were not in that location
at the time of the fire. Figure 12 is a view of the
center office, looking south. Examination of this
office revealed virtually no fire impingement,with
limited heat and smoke damage. Thorough examination of
the floor area in this room revealed no indications of
floor -level burning. Figure 13 is a view of the west
office, looking southwest. As indicated earlier, the
boxes located to the left in this photograph were not
in that location at the time of the fire and the carpet
below the boxes was removed by the Sebastian Police
Department. The doorway,in the center of this photograph,
leads to the darkroom. The arrow on this photograph
directs your attention to the area where an odor of
I_ gasoline was detected by MASA. Samples of desk -top
l!� paper and other items were obtained by MASA and submitted
to the laboratory for instrumental analysis. The results of
those analyses will be discussed later in this report.
(15)
^
I
Although this room did receive limited smoke damage,
there was no severe heat or fire damage. Figure 14
is a view of the west office area, looking east. The
door seen to the left in this photograph is the west
office entrance. The archway in the center of this
photograph leads to the east office area. Note the
lack of any severe fire or heat damage in this room.
Although a section of carpet was missing in the area
directly below the banana boxes seen to the right in
this photograph, no severe fire damage was observed
at floor level. The archway to the right in this
photograph leads to the photographic darkroom. Figure
15 is a view of the darkroom off of the west office.
Examination of this room revealed the lack of any severe
heat or fire damage, with limited smoke damage. Exami-
nation of the floor area in this room revealed no
indications of floor -level burning.
(16)
_ �o
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FIGURE 11
ENTRANCES INTO CENTER AND WEST OFFICES
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FIGURE 12
CENTER OFFICE, LOOKING SOUTH
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73
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FIGURE 15
DARKROOM OFF OF WEST OFFICE
'76-
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Figure 16 is a view of the ceiling above the east
office, in the area of most severe fire damage.
Note the lower arrow on this photograph directs your
attention to the doorway, separating the east office
and the southeast area of the building where the most
severe fire damage occurred. Examination of the ceiling
and roof joists in this area revealed uniform top-level
fire damage on the ceiling joists. The upper arrow .on
this photograph directs your attention to the area
where the fire vented into the attic. This is the area
of most severe attic fire damage. Examination of the
attic area by MASA revealed the remains of partially
consumed air conditioning duct work. Examination of the
debris removed by the fire department during overhaul
efforts revealed pieces of partially consumed air
conditioning duct work. Examination of this duct work
revealed internal and external fire damage. The fire
damage in the attic area on top of the ceiling joists
is consistent with the fire extending into the duct
work system from below and traveling laterally on top
of the ceiling joists where the duct work rests. Figure
17 is a close-up view of the most severe floor -level
fire damage. This wall area is directly east of the door=
way separating the east office and the southeast portion
of the building. 4his side of the wall was constructed
of drywall, with the opposite side being wood paneling.
jk Closer examination of the base plate and floor -level
(22)
?16
•m.
vertical wall studs revealed severe low-level fire damage. qr .
Note the area in front of the floor base plate shows an
outline where it was reported stacks of newspaper were
located at the time of the fire. Closer examination of
,n this area revealed the presence of two metal conduits.
RI These metal conduits supply power to a duplex outlet
which was located in the wall at the time of the fire.
Examination of these wires, and the wires attached to the
dulDlex outlet,revealed they did show signs of shorting.
Examination of the duplex outlet by MASA revealed nothing
M; was plugged into this outlet at the time of the fire.
Mrs. Joan Pepper, Editor of the Sebastian Sunlreported
!° nothing was plugged into the outlet at the time of the
fire. Examination of the face plate which was on the
5�.
duplex outlet, located on the south wall of the east
office,showed smoke damage inside the plate and virtually
no severe heat or fire damage on the face of this plate.
Examination of the wires in the conduit revealed
the insulation was consumed in the area of the junction
box and outlet, however, the insulation above this area
remained intact and only showed signs of limited heat
damage. Had the fire originated as a result of an
electrical malfunction in this area, these duplex outlet
wires would have showed signs of internal shorting,with
more severe upper -level wire insulation and structural
damage in this area. Figure 18 is a close-up view of
the duplex outlet which was located in the south wall
of the east office,in the area of most severe fire damage.
(23)
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FIGURE 16
CEILING AREA ABOVE EAST OFFICE
/9
(24)
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CLOSE-UP OF THE MOST SEVERE
FLOOR LEVEL FIRE DAMAGE
(25)
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CLOSE-UP OF DUPLEX OUTLET
(26)
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2.6
Figure 19 is a view of the southeast area of the building,
looking north,showing the area of the most severe fire
damage. Examination of the top portion of the wall,
which received the most severe fire damage, revealed
the fire extended into the attic to the area indicated
by an arrow at the top of this photograph. Examination
+r
of the air conditioning unit and the electrical service
to this unit revealed it neither caused nor contributed
I
to the fire. The floor area, south of the doorway, was
�.
reportedly uncarpeted, however, there was a section of
carpet located under and south of the copy machine. The
its
area indicated by the lower arrow on this photograph is the
°
location where cardboard boxes of plastic newspaper bags
were located at the time of the fire. Examination of the
burn patterns in this area revealed these boxes were
against the air conditioning recovery duct and against
the in
north wall this area. These boxes were removed
by the fire department during overhaul efforts. Exam-
ination of the remains of these boxes in the fire debris
7
removed by the fire department revealed most of the
boxes showed only limited fire damage to the cardboard
packaging on one side of these boxes. It is apparent
that these boxes were not completely consumed,due to
the fact that MASA observed no molten plastic remains
in the fire debris or on the floor in this area. As
indicated earlier, the half door,located in the doorway
at the time of the fire, had been completely consumed.
1
(27)
Eli
Figure 20 is
a closer view of the wall and air condi-
tioning unit
separating the east office and the southeast
area of the
building. Closer examination of the burn
patterns in
this area revealed a pattern on the re-
finish, the wall
maining wood
paneling interior on north
and on the air
conditioning recovery duct. These
patterns are
consistent with the.cardboard boxes of
plastic bags
being stored in this area. The most severe
fire damage
to this recovery duct housing was on the
itself.
upper level,
below the air conditioning unit
Examination
of the vertical wall studs revealed severe
4
floor -level
fire damage in this area. Examination of
the air conditioning
unit revealed it was charged with
freon. Examination of the burn patterns and the
electrical service to this air conditioning unit re-
r:•.
vealed the fire did not originate as a result of a
malfunction
to this unit.
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(28)
FIGURE 19
19 0 -UT ffEWr-mt gg�o J�—
-SHO THE"
MOST SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE
(29)
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FIGURE 20
WALL AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT SEPARATING THE EAST
OFFICE AND SOUTHEAST AREA OF THE BUILDING
(30)
9Y
2_7
Figure 21 is a view of the carpet sample retained as
i
!
evidence by the Sebastian Police Department. Exami-
nation of this carpet sample revealed irregular burn
and the presence of partially consumed pieces
patterns
of paper stuck to the carpet. This piece of carpet
sample was located in the west office area, west of
the doorway separating the east and west offices.
Figure 22 is a view of the carpet sample reconstructed
location at the time of the fire. As indicated
to~ its
earlier, the banana boxes were not in that location at
the time of the fire. Note the floor -level burn
patterns on the carpet are the only burn patterns ob-
served in this room. Note the surrounding carpet,
baseboards, walls and doorjambs showed no signs of fire
damage at this level. The burn pattern to the carpet
�y
ended at the right side of the carpet sample. There
were no additional floor -level burn patterns in this
Figure 23 is a view of the reconstructed carpet,
Y
room.
looking toward the east office from the west office.
Although no fire damage could be observed on the base-
boards or doorjambs in this area, the floor -level burn
'•`
are characteristic of a fire trailer being
patterns
used to extend the fire to this area. It is
gg
apparent by examining the burn patterns and the pieces
of paper that remain on the carpet, paper materials
{
to trail and extend the fire throughout the
were used
Olt
building. Note the undamaged floor -level combustibles,
(31)
27
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including the cardboard box, indicated by an arrow on
this photograph and the doorjambs and baseboards in the
areas of irregular floor -level burn patterns. It is
apparent by examining the undamaged combustibles near
the irregular burn patterns that the fuel used to
accelerate the fire in this area, being either flam-
mable liquid, paper, or a combination of both, was a
small amount and was consumed during the incipient
stages of the fire. Had there been copious amounts
of fuel at floor level, more severe floor -level fire
damage and extension would have been observed in these.
areas. Figure 24 is a view of the reconstructed carpet,
looking toward the west office from the east office.
This photograph clearly indicates the presence of irregular
burn patterns at floor level. Figure 25 is a view of
the east office floor area, after fire debris was removed
and the carpet reconstructed. Pieces of partially con-
sumed paper and plastic were embedded in the irregular
burn patterns in this area. kPartially consumed paper
and other materials throughout the irregular burn
pattern area are characteristic of a trailer used to
0
extend the fire into other areas of the building.
(32)
FIGURE 21
CARPET SAMPLE RETAINED AS EVIDENCE
BY THE SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
(33 )
47
FIGURE 22
CARPET SAMPLE RECONSTRUCTED TO ITS
LOCATION, AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE
(34) x
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;
FIGURE 23
RECONSTRUCTED CARPET LOOKING TOWARD EAST OFFICE
14.
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FIGURE 24
RECONSTRUCTED CARPET LOOKING TOWARD
WEST OFFICE,FROM EAST OFFICE
(36)
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(37)
91
2_8
Figure 26 is a view of th southeast are of the
building where MASA detected an odor of gasoline and
obtained a sample of carpet. This sample was submitted
to the laboratory for instrumental analysis, the results
of which will be discussed later in this report. Addi-
tionally, the area where MASA obtained a sample is the
area where the Sebastian Police Department observed
and retained a one gallon plastic jug, containing a
liquid with the distinct odor of gasoline. This southea:
area of the building did not show signs of severe floor -
level fire damage, and it is apparent by examining this
area the fire did not extend to this area. Figure 27
is a view of the one gallon plastic jug retained by the
Sebastian Police Department as evidence.
(38)
P
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FIGURE 26
SOUTHEAST AREA OF THE BUILDING
WHERE MASA OBTAINED A SAMPLE
(39)
FIGURE 27
ONE GALLON PLASTIC JUG RETAINED BY THE
SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT AS EVIDENCE
(40)
9Y
2_9
Below is a summary of the recorded interview of Sebastian
Police Department Officer Victor W. Regan, by MASA's
Supervisor of Investigations James M. Wark, on May 1,
1986: Regan has been a paid police officer with the
Sebastian Police Department for approximately one year.
At approximately 5:00 to 5:30 a.m. on the morning of
the fire, Regan, while on routine patrol, observed the
east front porch light out on the Sebastian Sun building.
-
Regan found this odd and proceeded to spotlight the
perimeter of the building. He observed the windows
in the closed position, however, he did not physically
check the building for security. He then left and, while
on routine patrol approximately two hours later at
7:27 a.m.,was dispatched to respond to a fire at the
Arnold Bryant Building, however, upon arrival at the
scene, he noticed that the fire was originating from the
Sebastian Sun building. At that time,he noticed his
fiance, Shirley Ballou, 525 Saunders Street, Sebastian,
Florida, who is also the office manager and bookkeeper
of the Sebastian Sun, in order to contact the owners
of the building and notify them that the building was on
fire. Regan observed smoke coming out of the roof rafters
and through the soffit areas of'the building. He pro-
ceeded to the front of the building and determined the
front doors were in the locked position, however, the
windows were approximately six inches in the open
position. Regan then proceeded to get a fire extinguisher
(41)
Y, 7
out of his vehicle and proceeded inside the building
through the east front window. All of the fire appeared
to be in the center of the hallway area, right of the
reception office,where the flames were no higher than
F''
approximately 4 to 5 feet. Regan observed no fire at
floor level or at ceiling level at this time. Shortly
s
thereafter, Sebastian Police Chief Gerald Nappi and
Officer James Johnson arrived. After exhausting the
hand-held fire extinguisher, Officer Regan proceeded
M
hose,
to the next building, where he obtained a garden
which did not reach the interior of the Sebastian Sun
building. The officers then waited for the fire depart-
ment to arrive approximately three minutes later. Chief
Nappi proceeded to open the front door with a knife.
for the
Regan's fiance, Miss Shirley IIallou, has worked
i
Sebastian Sun for approximately four months. After
the fire department arrived, the chief requested Regan
to call one of the lieutenants who had fire investigative
experience. When the fire department gave the okay for
the police department to enter, Chief Nappi, Lieutenant
Puscher,and Regan entered. They proceeded to walk
around where they determined the point of origin was
located and around the remainder of the building,where
they observed a one gallon plastic container, like a
milk jug, laying on its side in the back room. This
container had a brownish liquid substance in it, which
appeared and smelled to be that of gasoline. The jug
h!
wsa photographed and obtained as evidence by Detective
(42)
,e
'
Douglas Disomma. The editor of the Sebastian Sun, Ms.
Joan Pepper, arrived shortly after the chief of police.
Ms. Pepper lives approximately 2 blocks from the Sebastian
Sun and was notified of the fire by either the chief of
police or by Regan's fiance. The chief of police Gerald
Nappi, Regan and his fiance, Shirley Ballou live at
the same residence. Chief Nappi and Ms. Ballou were
notified of the fire at approximately the same time by
the police dispatcher. After Ms. Pepper arrived at the
scene and after extinguishment of the fire, a search was
conducted of the building, at which time, papers and
burn patterns were found on the carpet. The one gallon
plastic container of what appeared to be gasoline was
found in the back room. Gasoline odors were detected
in the area where the jug was located, and all the way
through the reception office, including the hallway. The
other offices were not checked at that time. State
Fire Marshal, Law Enforcement Investigator Charles Hill
was notified of the fire later on in the morning. Investi-
gator Hill responded a few hours later. Additionally, the
State Attorney's office was notified of the fire. At
approximately 3:00 p.m. that afternoon, Regan returned
to help Ms. Pepper move some articles out of the building
in order to get the newspaper going again in another office.
At this time, Ms. Pepper reported she found some paper
materials that had been contaminated with gasoline. Regan
smelled the pieces of paper and detected the odor of
gasoline on a desk, located in the westernmost office.
(43)
971
i
Prior to moving any of these items, Officer Regan
contacted a patrolman, Andy Catelone, to witness the
removal of these items. Chief Nappi then returned and
all started to move articles around and they smelled
gasoline. Examination of Ms. _Pepper's desk revealed .
items saturated with gasoline. All of the evidence was
taken into custody by Chief Nappi and Patrolman Catelone,
which was then turned over to Detective Disomma. Regan
believes the fire was accelerated and accelerants were
used on the carpet. There have been numerous threats
towards the newspaper and the business, and they are being
investigated, according to Regan. Regan indicated the
investigation is continuing,and he is in the.process of
interviewing employees, former employees,and possible
1 suspects because of recent threats on the newspaper.
1
2.10
On April 29, 1986, State Fire Marshal, Law Enforcement
Investigator Charles Hill was contacted by MASA's Super-
visor of Investigations James M. Wark. At this time,
Investigator Hill related his preliminary findings of
the fire scene at the Sebastian Sun, 841 Fellsnere Road,
Sebastian, Florida was of undetermained origin, with an
electrical outlet being a possible source of ignition.
He additionally reported at this time a plastic milk
jug, containing gasoline, had been found and was removed
by Sebastian police officials prior to his arrival.
Investigator Hill related that he would meet with MASA
(44)
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at the fire scene on May 1, 1986. During MASA's fire
scene examination, Mr. Hill, supra, was present. At the
conclusion of the examination, Mr. Hill advised Mr. Wark
that the fire was suspicious and he would take under
advisement his new observations, and would notify MASA
as to his determination of the fire. Subsequently, Mr.
Hill notified Mr. Wark that he agreed with MASA's finding
that the fire in question was incendiary in origin.
Several days later, Mr. Hill again contacted Mr. Wark,
and related he had given the fire further consideration
and feels the fire was electrical in origin.
(45)
99
3. ANALYSIS
3.1
The analysis of this report is based on the site visit,
interviews with witnesses, laboratory report,and study
of the photographs.
3.2
Four samples were collected from the fire scene, and
these were submitted for instrumental laboratory analysis.
Two samples collected from the west office contained
*'4/ highly weathered gasoline. The sample collected from
the southeast area of the building also contained gasoline.
A copy of the Interscience, Inc. laboratory report is
included in the addenda of this report. It should be
noted that sample )(2 was taken from the southeast,not
the northeast as reflected in the Interscience report,
and the main office is,in fact,the west office.
3.3
As can be seen in the study of the photographs and the
burn patterns, the most severe fire damage was in the
doorway and wall area, east of the doorway separating
the east office and the southeast section of the building.•
The intense localized fire damage in this area,with the
lower portion of the wall being mostly consumed,is
characteristic of the burn patterns caused by a flammable
liquid accelerant. Clearing of the fire debris in the
(46)
t.
east and west offices revealed irregular burn patterns
at floor level consistent with fire trailers being used
to extend the fire to other areas. Closer examination
of these irregular burn patterns revealed the presence
of partially consumed paper embedded into the carpet,
which is characteristic of a paper trailer being used
to communicate fire to nearby combustibles and to extend
~ the fire into other areas of the building. Although
instrumental analysis of the samples obtained from the
southeast area of the building, west office,and west
office desk areas revealed the presence of gasoline,
these areas were virtually undamaged by fire. It is
apparent the trailer was used with the intention of
communicating and extending the fire into these areas,
however, due to the lack of a sufficient amount of paper
trailer material,enough heat was not generated to ignite
combustibles in these areas. Although the electrical
service was reported to be on at the time of the fire,
nothing was reported to have been plugged into the
electrical outlet in the area of most severe fire damage.
MASA's examination of that electrical outlet also revealed
nothing was plugged into that outlet. Closer examination
of the duplex outlet and associated wiring revealed one
area of shorting and severed wire. The insulation
above the severed area of the wire coming from the
conduit remains intact and shows signs of external heat
impingement. It is MASA's opinion, had the fire origi-
nated as a result of a malfunction to the duplex outlet,
(47)
/8/
.:.
junction box or associated wiring, more severe fire
damage would have occurred to the wire insulation in the
conduit and in the immediate area of the duplex outlet.
The burn patterns were inconsistent with the fire
originating at this duplex outlet.I�The shorted wires
were behind the outlet and not at the connection. This
is typical of shorting that is an.affect of the fire
rather than a caused/
3.4
Deputy State Fire Marshal, Law Enforcement Investigator
Charles Hill has concluded the fire was of electrical
origin. MASA's investigation has revealed no indication
the fire was of electrical origin and determined the
shorting in the area of the most severe damage was a
result rather than a cause of the fire. I was this shorting
that Investigator Hill had previously identified as the
cause of the fire. Additionally,identification of the
foreign flammable liquid gasoline, burn patterns
characteristic of the presence of a flammable liquid
accelerant and paper fire trailers, along with the
reported breach of security at the building, over-
whelmingly characterize this as an incendiary fire.
3
I
4. CONCLUSIONS
4_1
Based on the results of the investigation conducted by
MASA, as set forth in this report, it is the opinion
of M. A. Stringer & Associates, Inc. that the April
27, 1986 fire, which occurred at the Sebastian Sun,
841 Fellsnere Road, Sebastian, Florida 32958, was
incendiary in origin, and the foreign flammable liquid
gasoline was used to accelerate the fire.
4.2
Additionally, it is the opinion of MASA that paper trailers
were used to extend and communicate the fire into other
areas of the building.
M. A. STRINGER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
&ch=dJ. Green
Fire Investigator
James M. W�ark
Supervisor of Investigations
RJG/dgb
ORIGINAL & (1) COPY
Bob G. Freemon, Jr., Esquire
Butler, Burnette & Freemon
Attorneys at Law
One Mack Center, Suite 1102
501 East Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, Florida 33602
REPORT COPY
MASA File
Mervin A. Stringer
Fire Specialist
SIGNED IN MR. STRINGER'S
ABSENCE TO AVOID DELAY
IN MAILING.
(49)
/D
Int rscience, Inc.
5460 Beaumont Center 131%•cl.
Tampa, FL 33614
(813) 885.4774
May 6, 1986
NASA
Westport Commerce Center
6015 Benjamin Road - Suite 315
Tampa, Florida 33614
Attn: Mr. M. A. Stringer
Re: Project Number: 86271-26
Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Fire Debris
File Number: 05860268
Sample Numbers: 86-05-033 (#4)
86-05-034 (42)
86-05-035 (83)
BACKGROUND
A sealed gallon paint can and two (2) sealed quart paint cans,
reportedly containing fire debris, were delivered to Interscience, Inc.
on May 5, 1986, by Mr. John Rodman. Interscience, Inc. was
requested to analyze the samples for volatile hydrocarbon residues,
indicative of a flammable liquid accelerant(s).
ANALYSIS
The cans were heated to approximately 90°C for twenty (20)
minutes and one (1.0) milliliter of headspace vapor inside each can was
injected into a capillary flame ionization gas chromatograph for the
detection of volatile organic compounds. The resulting chromatograms
were compared to standard petroleum distillates and other flammable
liquids for possible identification.
RESULTS
Sample: 86-05-033 (04) - Paper and Pencil Holder - West Office Deslc
�86-05-034
(02)
- Carpet - NE Room
Draft Table
86-05-035
(0)
- Paper Envelope -
Main Office
Odors similar to gasoline were present in all three (3) samples. A
concentrated complex hydrocarbon residue, identified as a petroleum
distillate consistent with gasoline, was detected in the heated headspace
vapor of sample 86-05-033 (#4). Similar hydrocarbon residues,
identified as petroleum distillates consistent with highly -weathered
gasoline, were detected in the heated headspace vapors of samples
86-05-034 (92) and 86-05-035 03).
Regional Office P.O. Box 1817 Kenner, LA 70063 (504) 73"523 /A
In-nt,.,rscnence, hie
— -- -------_-546011Caumont Center 131cd.
Tampa, PL 3361.1
(813) 885.4774
May 6, 1986
MASA
Westport Commerce Center
6015 Benjamin Road - Suite 315
Tampa, Florida 33614
Attn: Mr. M. A. Stringer
Re: Project Number: 86271-26
Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Fire Debris
File Number: 05860268
Sample Numbers: 86-05-033 (114)
86-05-034 02)
86-05-035 (#3)
BACKGROUND
A sealed gallon paint can and two (2) sealed quart paint cans,
reportedly containing fire debris, were delivered to Interscience, Inc.
on May 5, 1986, by Mr. John Rodman. Interscience, Inc. was
requested to analyze the samples for volatile hydrocarbon residues,
indicative of a flammable liquid aecelerant(s).
ANALYSIS
The cans were heated to approximately 900C for twenty (20)
minutes and one (1.0) milliliter of headspace vapor inside each can was
injected into a capillary flame ionization gas chromatograph for the
detection of volatile organic compounds. The resulting chromatograms
were compared to standard petroleum distillates and other flammable
liquids for possible identification.
RESULTS
Sample: 86-05-033 (N4) - Paper and Pencil Holder - West Office Desk
` 86-05-034 (112) - Carpet - NE Room Draft Table
-' 86-05-035 03) - Paper Envelope - Main Office
T;`=.c ;
Odors similar to gasoline were present in all three (3) samples. A
concentrated complex hydrocarbon residue, identified as a petroleum
distillate consistent with gasoline, was detected in the heated headspace
vapor of sample 86-05-033 (114). Similar hydrocarbon residues,
identified as petroleum distillates consistent with highly -weathered
gasoline, were detected in the heated headspace vapors of samples
86-05-034 02) and 86-05-035 (ii3).
Regional office 11.0. Box 1817 Kenner, LA 70063 (504)738-6523 AN
MASA
May 6, 1986
86271-26 - Page 2
If you have 'any questions regarding this report, please do not
hesitate to contact us. Unless we are otherwise notified, the samples
will be returned to M. A. Stringer and Associates.
i
i
Interscience, Inc. operates as an independent contractor and does
not guarantee any particular results other than its best efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
INTERSCIENCE, INC.
A . K
Harry A. Kreigh
Senior Chemist
IIAK : dmw
MASA
n Interscience, Inc.
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