 Arson fire damages two Moorhead businesses; 3 escape uninjured
Dave
Olson,The Forum
Published Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Photo caption: The Moorhead Fire Department responded to an early
morning fire Wednesday, January 19, 2004 at Huff and Puff, a tobacco
shop located at 1912 First Avenue South. The building and it's contents
sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. Three people and two cats made it
out of the building safely. Darren Gibbins / The Forum
Moorhead police and fire officials are investigating an arson fire that
damaged two businesses early today.
The fire was reported at 2:13 a.m. by Jeremy Miller, who operates the
Huff & Puff tobacco store at 1912 1st Ave. S., Moorhead Fire Marshal
Rich Duysen said.
The fire caused smoke damage to that business and gutted the D-Spot, a
clothing store located adjacent to Huff & Puff that is operated by
Errick Holley.
Holley told authorities he found someone breaking into his business
about the time he noticed flames, Duysen said.
Holley ran next door to the Huff & Puff and asked Miller, who was
staying in the business overnight with his father, John, to call the fire
department because he could not find his own phone, Holley told
authorities.
Duysen said it appears there were two sources of origin for the fire,
one behind a counter in the D-Spot and the other about 15 feet away.
He said tests will be done to determine what type of liquid was used to
start the fire.
Holley, who was living in his business, and the Millers escaped the
fire without injury Duysen said, adding Holley's two cats also got out
unharmed.
The investigation is ongoing, Duysen said.
The tobacco shop was largely unscathed by the fire, Jeremy Miller said,
adding he hopes he can reopen the store soon.
The building housing both businesses is owned by a Detroit Lakes,
Minn., property company, he said.
Miller and his father own the Foxes nightclub located across the street
from where the fire occurred.
Jeremy Miller said that after Holley knocked on his door the three men
made an attempt to quench the fire with buckets of water.
However, the fire spread so quickly and was so hot they were unable to
get close enough to throw water on it, he said.
Miller said he is staying with a friend in a house located next door to
the business.
Holley could not be located for comment, but the Fargo Salvation Army
said Wednesday it was providing emergency assistance to those involved.
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