Blaze At OH Towing Company Ruled As Arson

Best wishes to Paint Valley Towing and owner Roger Carter as they rebuild. Here's the story from the Chillicothe Gazette:

BAINBRIDGE -- An early Friday morning fire that destroyed a towing and auto business was set intentionally, officials said Monday.

Shane Cartmill, public information officer for the Ohio State Fire Marshal, said investigators sifted through the scene and made their ruling.

"They did not find anything that would indicate accidental causes and found evidence that suggested the fire was intentionally set," said Cartmill.

The fire broke out shortly before 1 a.m. Friday at Paint Valley Towing, 105 Webster St., in the western Ross County village. No one was injured in the fire, but the business was destroyed.

The owner of the business, Roger Carter, told the Ross County Sheriff's Office he left the business at 5:15 p.m. and had locked up before he left.

A Blue Ribbon Arson Award, which could hand out up to $5,000, has been placed on information that helps solve the case and leads to the arrest of the person or people responsible.

"We're looking for anyone who believes they have witnessed something, heard something or seen something that could help us in investigating this fire," Cartmill said.

To report any information that could lead the solving of this crime, call the fire marshal at (800) 589-2728.