At a press conference today, Rob Elder, assistant special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office in Houston, announced the Gallery Furniture fire was determined arson because all possibilities of accidental cause have been ruled out.
The blaze that ignited the night of May 21st took out the Gallery Furniture warehouse at the landmark I-45 location. Losses are estimated between $15 million and $20 million. The store is closed until further notice. The recently opened Galleria area location is still in operation.
Investigators will be interviewing employees and others with viable clues regarding the mysterious fire. Elder says, "Someone out there knows what happened that night, and we’re going to find them.”
Owner Jim McIngvale is pleading that individuals with information call Crime Stoppers of Houston immediately at 713-222-TIPS or the ATF hotline at 1-888-ATF-FIRE.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user ario_j
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