ARSON RUMORS UNFOUNDED: Fire chief says about Brookside inferno

Social media abuzz with chatter about blaze

 

COLUMBIA, 7/8/12 (Beat Byte) -- Rumors an arsonist started the May 27 Brookside fire are unfounded, Columbia Fire Chief and lead investigator Steve Sapp told the Columbia Heart Beat.

 

Detailed chatter alleges arson investigators discovered "spent cans of gasoline" on the premises, and settled on a "person of interest" who showed up at a local emergency room with burns on his hands and arms as firefighters fought the flames.

"Heard rumor that arson - not electrical mishap - is indeed suspected in big ‪#como‬ fire last month," Columbia resident Glenn Rice posted on Twitter June 7th. "There were accelerants everywhere!"

 

But "absolutely no credible evidence" has emerged to support the arson allegations, Sapp explained.