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After Five Arson Fires, Va. Condos Temporarily Closed

Feb. 7, 2012

Residents of a downtown condo building hit by five arsons won't be able to move back until assessments on security and electrical wiring are complete, a fire official said Monday, and that may take at least a week.

Source The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.

Feb. 07--NORFOLK -- Residents of a downtown condo building hit by five arsons won't be able to move back until assessments on security and electrical wiring are complete, a fire official said Monday, and that may take at least a week.

"Everybody's working toward trying to get these people back in their homes," said Norfolk Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Harry Worley.

Investigators -- with help from the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -- are trying to find out who set fires in The Rotunda between Jan. 25 and Wednesday, causing water damage and evacuations that started as an annoyance but turned frightening for residents.

Fires set in hallways and storage rooms were contained by sprinklers.

When the last two fires were set Wednesday, a fire investigator was outside in the parking lot monitoring the building.

Fire Chief Jeff Wise has asked the property association manager to present him with a security plan that the fire department will review, Worley said. An electrical engineer is inspecting the building and will certify that it's safe. A restoration company is now doing work.

Fifty-six of the 66 condos in the building were occupied by owners or renters. They were allowed in Saturday to get mail and belongings, Worley said.

The property association manager did not return a phone call Monday.

Patrick Wilson, (757) 222-3893, [email protected]