 Moorhead arson fire investigated
By
Dave Olson,The Forum
Published Thursday, January 20, 2005
 
Photo caption: The Huff and Puff tobacco shop at 1912 1st Ave.
S., Moorhead, sustained smoke damage early Wednesday. Two people escaped
the building safely. Darren Gibbins / The Forum
Moorhead police and fire officials are investigating an arson fire that
damaged two businesses early Wednesday.
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 destroyed the
adjacent D-Spot, a clothing store operated by Errick Holley.
Holley told authorities he found someone breaking into his business
about the time he noticed flames, Duysen said.
Holley told authorities he 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.
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 and the Millers escaped without injury Duysen said, adding
Holley's two cats also escaped.
The tobacco shop remains largely intact and Jeremy Miller said he hopes
he can reopen soon.
Miller and his father own the Foxes nightclub across the street from
where the fire occurred.
Miller said after Holley knocked on his door they made an attempt to
quell 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.
Miller said he is staying with a friend.
Holley could not be reached for comment, but the Fargo Salvation Army
said Wednesday it was providing emergency assistance to those involved.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
[ Home ] [2005
News] | 
