Two starting points, aerosol can found
GILROY
Fire investigators said Wednesday a Friday-night fire that claimed an unfinished townhouse in the downtown Cannery project was arson.
The fire – in a development of market and below-market homes being built by South County Housing at 251 Lewis St. – raged for about 45 minutes, damaged three other attached townhouses and sent a dark pillar of smoke high above Gilroy. The fire department’s incident report lists the property damage as $250,000 and the whole project – scheduled for completion in fall 2009 – could be delayed weeks, said Jack Foley, the organization’s public information officer.
Evidence at the scene pointed to arson, fire investigator Andy Holiday said. At least one aerosol spray can – the contents of which can be used to fuel a flame – was nearby. In addition, investigators found two separate starting points for the fire.
“That kind of cinches the deal,” Holiday said.
The investigation is ongoing.
