The Ellis County Press: AJ auto fire was arson

AJ auto fire was arson
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Editor on 09/28/2006 00:00:00


SHERRY LONG
_The Ellis County Press_
FERRIS - The fire that ripped through AJ Auto earlier this month was the work of
an arsonist, according to investigators.
State Fire Marshall Investigator Ed Cheever would not say who he was looking at
as a suspect, but said it was not the dealership's owners.
'I believe the fire was intentionally set,' he said.
'There was no indication the fire was set using an accelerant and there is no
indication of any involvement with the electrical system.'
Instead of one large building, AJ Auto used several metal buildings adjunct to
one another for an office, auto repair shop and body shop.
Cheever said the fire started in the dealership's offices and small storage area
before spreading into the main garage building where auto body repairs were
made.
Annette Nell, co-owner of the dealership with her husband John, said there were
five vehicles in the building damaged from the heat and smoke, instead of the
actual fire.
Reopened for business, the Nells were using a travel trailer lent by family
friends for an office until their old office could be repaired.
'We didn't have insurance on the building or contents, but we had insurance on
the vehicles,' she said.
'I didn't think a metal building could burn.'
Any suspects charged with arson, a second-degree felony charge, could face up to
20 years in prison.