Arson destroys building under construction

Right after midnight, a fire in a mechanical room of a 10-unit townhouse building in the final stages of construction caused extensive damage. The “mechanical room” building, situated at the elbow of two townhouse wings, contained the boilers, electrical switchgear and hot water tanks for the complex.

Assigned to determine the fire origin, cause and responsibility, we verified information from the construction superintendent that none of the utilities had, as yet, been connected and could be eliminated as sources of potential ignition. Recorded interviews from sub-contractors who had been in the building earlier along with review of work schedules ruled out hot work and other potential causes. There was evidence of an incendiary origin found in the debris.

Our investigation eventually isolated a security officer, terminated days before, as the main suspect. Co-workers described discussions with him where he detailed plans to steal from the site and a stated desire to get revenge. During a recorded interview this man told us that he had been with his estranged wife at a friend's apartment on the night of the fire. His wife, who hadn't spoken with him, said she hadn't seen him for two weeks and that he never stayed with her at this friend's apartment.

Our investigation also located physical evidence that helped to establish the man had been staying in another townhouse unit under construction on the same site on the night of the fire.