Connellsville Fire Chief Joseph Childs said in Friday's Tribune-Review of Greensburg that he suspects agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating members of his department as they try to solve the city's string of 25 arsons since October 2003.
On Friday, Childs said someone else's comment was attributed to him.
``I never made that statement,'' Childs said.
Bob Fryer, managing editor of the Tribune-Review, said the paper's story was correct.
Police Chief Stephen Cooper said firefighters have been questioned.
``We have talked to a lot of firemen, but to say they are suspects is the wrong terminology,'' Cooper said. ``The grapevine in the fire department is pretty good. Why wouldn't we go to them as sources of information?''
ATF officials would not comment on Childs' statements.
The most recent blaze started in a vacant building Wednesday and quickly spread to an adjoining three-story structure housing apartments and a beauty salon.
Officials have made arrests in one case - two teenagers were charged with setting fire to a high school football stadium Dec. 7.
Cooper said authorities suspect several arsonists are behind the fires.
``The ATF has said all along that we don't feel all these fires are necessarily linked,'' ATF Agent James Tanda said. ``But we've also said all along that we're not going to talk about suspects or evidence. To the extent that anybody else wants to talk about their opinions, that's their business.''
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