FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL STEPHEN D. COAN
For Immediate Release: March 17, 2006
Contact: Chief Charles Klueber, (508) 759-4412
Jennifer Mieth, (DFS), (978) 567-3381
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Bourne Fire Chief Charles Klueber announced investigators believe the early morning fire at Penner’s Place on Main Street in Bourne was intentionally-set.
Chief Klueber said, “Arson fires frequently burn undetected long enough to get a big head start on suppression efforts.” He added, “This is an example of where fire sprinklers might have made a difference and controlled the fire long enough for the fire department to save the building.”
State Fire Marshal Coan said, “We urge anyone with information about the fire to call the Bourne Fire Department or the Arson Hotline – 1-800-682-9229 – toll-free, 24-hours a day.” He added, “All calls will be kept confidential.” The Arson Hotline is part of the Arson Watch Reward Program, funded by the property and casualty insurance underwriting companies, which offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that helps solve arson cases.
Klueber said, “Arson is a crime against the entire community and we ask the community to help us fight back by coming forward with anything they might have seen in the area between 2 and 3 a.m. or anything they may have heard about the crime.”
The fire is being jointly investigated by investigators from Bourne Fire Department, detectives from the Bourne Police Department and State Police officers assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.