December 31, 2003

Fire at steel plant ruled an arson

       The fire that destroyed the offices of Sanjo Steel in Greenwood was arson, investigators determined Tuesday. (Read the original story HERE)  The blaze early Monday morning caused $750,000 damage to the office portion of the steel-fabricating business at 610 W. Main St. The plant’s manufacturing shop was not significantly damaged, however, and production has already resumed.  Authorities suspect an intruder may have set the fire to conceal a burglary.  Investigators have no suspects yet.  Based on burn patterns, investigators determined the fire was started in at least two places within the ground floor of the office space.  Lt. Tom Kite of the Greenwood Fire Department said investigators ruled out accidental causes — such as an electrical or furnace problem — before concluding the fire was intentionally set.  “It was kind of in the middle of the room,” Kite said of the fire’s points of origin.  News that someone had intentionally set his business afire frustrated Sanjo co-owner Gary Pugh.  “I’m awestruck. I am just devastated that there would be some (expletive) who would do that to people,” Pugh said.  He said he knew of no reason why anyone would want to do harm to Sanjo Steel.  “We don’t have any enemies,” he said. “We’ve stayed in business 25 years by not having enemies. We’ve got friends.”  The business has not had any previous problems with break-ins, he said.  Pending a check of inventory, it did not appear that any office equipment or valuables had been stolen, he said.  Sanjo Steel had been closed since Dec. 24 for the long Christmas holiday weekend. On Monday morning, the day the plant was scheduled to reopen for business, a passer-by saw smoke coming from the windows and called the fire department.  The only injury suffered during the blaze was a firefighter’s twisted ankle.  Damage to the burned-out office area is now estimated at $750,000, Kite said. The building is insured.  The fire only briefly interrupted Sanjo Steel’s production of fabricated steel parts for building construction. Some employees were back at work welding Tuesday at Sanjo’s back shop, Pugh said, and everyone else will be back at work Monday. The plant employs about 20 workers.  Temporarily, the privately owned company has moved its offices to 500 S. Polk St. in Greenwood while production continues in the plant.  Pugh has been in touch with Sanjo’s clients and emphasized that the company is still in business and will fulfill its contracts for steel parts.  The arson investigation is a joint effort by Greenwood fire investigators and police detectives. Because no one was injured or killed, Greenwood will not call in the state fire marshal’s office for assistance, Kite said.  Kite urges anyone with information about the crime to call the fire department at 882-2599 or the police department at 882-9191.  If a suspect is eventually arrested, he or she could face a charge of Class B felony arson. A conviction would carry a six- to 20-year prison sentence.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

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