For some reason, I couldn't attach the URL. Here's the article.
Arson ruled out in blaze that destroyed historic Groton Inn By Amanda Cedrone Globe Correspondent October 06, 2011 Fire investigators have ruled out arson as the cause of the fire that destroyed the historic Groton Inn in August, officials said. There is no evidence to suggest an intentionally set fire and the part of the building where the fire started was a remote area not readily accessible to humans, a statement from the state Department of Fire Services said. This discounts arson as a probable cause. The findings of the investigation by state and local fire and police officials reveal the August 2 fire most likely began in the attic due to electrical causes, the statement said. But because an extensive part of the roof was burned, investigators were not left with enough forensic evidence to test in order to prove the electrical cause, authorities said. As a result, officials said the blaze will remain officially undetermined in accordance with the national standard used for fire investigation in Massachusetts. The Old Groton Inn was built in 1678, and is believed to have been the oldest continually operating inn in the U.S. Historic figures such as Paul Revere, andU.S. presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, and William H. Taft reportedly stayed at the inn. It was accepted for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This fire was a tragic loss for our quintessential New England town, said Groton Fire Chief Joseph Bosselait. The building was important to our sense of our connection to the generations who had come before. The statement said there was no damage in the kitchen, ruling out that the fire began there, and the nearest lightening strike in the area was one mile away, indicating that the inclement weather that night was not a contributing factor either. Sadly many of our national treasures are burning away, said State Marshal Stephen D. Coan in a statement. This fire underscores the need for us to find ways to protect these buildings for future generations with fire sprinklers. Historic preservation is not inexpensive, but the alternative is also costly as Groton has sadly learned. The town is taking the suggestion into consideration. Chief Bosselait has indicated he will be bringing a fire sprinkler local option law before the town meeting, Coan said. I look forward to working with him to educate the public about the value of fire sprinklers. Todd G. Williams, PE Fire Protection Design/Consulting Stonington, CT 860.535.2080 www.fpdc.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/private/sprinklerforum/attachments/20111006/23365871/attachment.html>
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