Arson apparently set by thieves

MANSFIELD - The arson early that seriously damaged  an apartment building under construction at 283 Grandview Avenue early Sunday reportedly was set by thieves, during a break-in to steal tools.

Fire investigator Harlan E. Barrick said the Mansfield Fire Department is following up on leads on the fire that  damaged an eight-unit apartment building the Richland County Board of Mental Health and Recovery was financing, as a place for youths to live temporarily while transitioning out of foster care.

"There are a couple of interesting avenues we are pursuing," Barrick said Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze was reported around 3 a.m. Sunday, but may have started slowly, the fire official said.

No liquid combustibles were used, and the fire appeared to have been set using flammables that happened to be at the site, he said.

"It is a set fire, and that's all we are elaborating on, at this point," Barrick added.

A Mansfield police report said unknown suspects apparently entered the construction site through a wall, and attempted unsuccessfully to break into construction toolboxes owned by people working for Studer-Obringer, a New Washington-based contractor for the project.

Suspects then started a fire at the site, according to the report.

The arson is being investigated by the fire department, but the theft incident was forwarded to the Mansfield Police Department's major crimes division.

The Richland County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services had hoped to open the new apartment building this spring, as a place where youths leaving foster care can live while local agencies make sure they have all of the skills necessary to get them off to a good start as they head off to college or jobs. It was the board's first housing project aimed at providing temporary housing for young people leaving foster care.

Joe Trolian, executive director for the board, said Wednesday afternoon it still was not clear whether the board would be able to proceed with the project.

Insurance adjusters visited the construction site Monday, reviewing damage. A decision will be made based on assessments of the extent of damage, and whether the project still can be brought in under budget, he said.

Insurance will cover some costs, but the agency will need to cover a $25,000 deductible, as well as costs for on-site security if a decision is made to go forward, Trolian said.

Barrick said Studer-Obringer initially estimated that about $100,000 in materials had been put into construction so far. Insurance adjusters will need to decide what portions of the building are still usable, and what portions would need to be rebuilt from scratch, he said.

The fire investigator said the blaze did the most damage to the western half of the building, but other areas may be affected. The majority of construction so far was made of concrete. The roof was burned, and partitions inside the shell suffered damage. Specialists would need to decide whether the fire cracked mortar between the concrete block and whether the concrete pad was damaged, the fire investigator said.

If suspects are caught, "there's going to be numerous charges" because a break-in as well as a fire was involved.

"We obviously would go after full arson charges," Barrick said.

Aggravated arson, the most serious arson charge, would not be invoked, because that charge is used if the building is occupied or firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, he said.

No one was hurt at the scene, Barrick said.

lmartz@gannett.com
419-521-7229
Twitter: @MNJmartz