Investigators determine fire in Etna was set intentionally
3/20/09 | 9 comments

Investigators determine fire in Etna was set intentionally


By Dawn Gagnon
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN CLARKE RUSS
Firefighters from Etna and several nearby communities fought a fire that gutted an uninhabited home at the intersection of Routes 2 and 143 in Etna on March 8. Buy Photo

ETNA, Maine — An investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that one of two structure fires earlier this month in Etna was set intentionally.

The fire at issue, which began around 1:30 a.m. March 8, destroyed a vacant house at the intersection of Routes 2 and 143, Sgt. Tim York of the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Thursday.

York said that because of the extent of fire damage investigators have been unable to determine what caused a second fire early Monday morning that destroyed another building, also vacant.

Etna Fire Chief Walter Gibbons said this week that both of the buildings belonged to Wes Leighton of Holden.

The second fire was reported at 2:22 a.m. Monday, Gibbons said. It destroyed a two-story building located at 391 Stage Road, which is across the street from the fire station.

Gibbons said that Leighton was using that building, which formerly housed an automotive repair shop and a store, for storage.

York declined further comment on the investigation, which is still under way.

dgagnon@bangordailynews.net

990-8189

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Comments
9 comments on this item
On 3/20/09 at 8:40 AM, 5forfightin wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

When I see these types of fires in the news, I think terrible accident, insurance burn, started by a firefigher wannabe, in that order.

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On 3/20/09 at 9:27 AM, eastman wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 3/20/09 at 9:31 AM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

eastman, do you understand that you just published an anti-Semitic comment, and that it is wrong to do that?

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On 3/20/09 at 9:52 AM, westie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

eastman, nice people do not use that kind of language. shame on you.

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On 3/20/09 at 11:43 AM, eastman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

My appologies. It is just an old expression. No raceism intended or meant.

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On 3/20/09 at 1:30 PM, sldunton51 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It makes one wonder if someone didn't have something against Mr. Leighton.

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On 3/21/09 at 12:00 PM, Tracey wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

My first thought was insurance burn too...but then I thought one would have to be kinda numb to burn TWO properties ....

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On 3/27/09 at 9:54 AM, cupidschkhld8 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well i know for a fact the my grandfather and grandmother didn't burn their property and it is a huge loss for our family many of the possessions that have been saved to be handed down have either been a loss or have sever fire damage.

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On 3/27/09 at 9:55 AM, cupidschkhld8 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I hope that the person responsible is charged for this because there are many things that they ruined.

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