Nov. 14--ST. CROIX -- Almost a week since the home of two local prosecutors was torched, V.I. Police and V.I. Fire Service officials are continuing to investigate what they have labeled a suspicious fire.
Fire Chief Angel Torres said Tuesday that the investigation into the suspicious fire that destroyed the Estate St. George home of Assistant Attorney General Kip Roberson and his wife, Assistant Attorney General Zuleyma Chapman, still is under way and no new information was available.
The home was fully engulfed in flames when five Fire Service trucks responded to a 911 call about 11 a.m. Nov. 8, according Torres and Attorney General Vincent Frazer.
Torres estimated that the home had been burning for about 15 minutes before the call came in. He said firefighters had to force their way through a remote-controlled wrought-iron gate to gain access to the burning house. No one was inside, and no one was hurt in the blaze, but the home was destroyed, Torres said.
Firefighters also found that surveillance cameras at the home had been tampered with, a first indication that the fire was suspicious, Torres said.
Firefighters also found other evidence of tampering on the doors to the home. It appeared that someone had tried to pry the doors open, according to Torres.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than four hours before it was extinguished, he said.
The couple's home is located at the very top of a winding hill in a sparsely populated part of the island.
Police spokeswoman Melody Rames said Tuesday that the investigation is still active. Police are looking into a number of factors, including whether the fire is linked to any cases on which Roberson or Chapman may have been working.
Torres said the fire remains under investigation by the Police Department's forensics unit and the Fire Service's arson prevention unit, which have different roles in the investigation.
Rames said anyone with information about the fire or any information that may help in the investigation can call detectives at 712-6037 or 911. Residents also can call the Fire Service at 773-8050 and ask for the arson prevention unit or call the anonymous tip line at Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.
- Contact Fiona Stokes at 714-9149 or email [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - The Virgin Islands Daily News, St. Thomas
