arson investigation News

Teen Died from Smoke Inhalation in Albuquerque House Fire

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities conducting an arson investigation at a southeast Albuquerque house fire say a 15-year-old boy whose body was found inside died from smoke inhalation. Albuquerque Fire Department officials said Sunday it might take about two weeks …

Woman Known for Giving Food to Protesters Loses Home in Fire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Chaunda Lee walked through her Louisville home Sunday afternoon for the first time since Christmas Day, when a fire destroyed nearly everything inside. Stepping over broken glass and ashes littered across her porch, Lee carried with …

April Trial Expected for Men Charged in Deadly California Warehouse Fire

Two men who face criminal charges for a Northern California warehouse fire that killed 36 people were ordered Monday to stand trial on April 2. Retired Alameda County judge Vernon Nakahara was also assigned to preside over the trial during …

Judges Routinely Allow Disavowed Forensic Evidence

Two hairs that looked like the victim’s; some dirt on a truck like that taken from the crime scene; a pattern on the bumper that resembled a design on the victim’s popular brand of jeans. The case against Steven Barnes …

Insurers’ Use of Cell Tower Data in Fraud Cases Questioned

It took Jaclyn Bentley nearly three years to prove she didn’t burn her house down for the insurance money, allegations she and her lawyer say were born of the junk practice of analyzing cellphone tower data. She was camping with …

Phoenix Arson Investigators Won’t Face Charges

Prosecutors in Phoenix, Ariz., have declined to bring criminal charges against two arson investigators from the Phoenix Fire Department whose truthfulness was questioned during the examination of a 2009 house fire. State police investigators who examined the case had recommended …

Texas Arson Dog Moving Up

On a recent afternoon, Kai – a former shelter dog whose outlook once looked bleak – hopped out of a black Ford Crown Victoria and was ordered to “seek.” Once that word was spoken, the man on the other end …

West Virginia Man Sentenced for Obstructing Arson Probe

A Logan man has been sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for obstructing an arson investigation. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin says 36-year-old Phillip Wayne Workman was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in October. Four other people …

Thorough Investigation into Washington School Fire

Not much is left among the charred remnants of Crestline Elementary School in Washington. A hollowed-out gymnasium, seared school books and memories – while seemingly scrapped in the cold, damp ash – are fuel for the fire’s investigation. The Vancouver …

Officials Probe Fires at Temple University Building

Federal authorities are investigating a series of small fires that were apparently set at a $216 million residential complex under construction at Temple University. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives says it’s investigating the blazes at Morgan Hall …