Merced couple accused of torching their downtown business
No one was injured in the
"Firefighters have described the fire as one of the most significant in recent
The 7,500-square-foot building and its contents were "deemed a total loss" of "conservatively"
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"It was a major event in downtown
Crews from all five of
A forensic accountant from the
The building that's stood since 1927 has since been cleared away, and officials said the structure next to it, the former Reinero's, is expected to be demolished as well.
Because of the age of the building, firefighters were not able to get to the roof to ventilate the fire, which would be the normal procedure, Wilkinson said. Crews were concerned the fire "had the potential" to spread to other buildings along the entire downtown block, he said.
The rubble from the building remained downtown for several months. Investigators contend they did not hold up the cleanup of the building, rather that it was held up by insurance companies.
Investigators believe the fire started on the mezzanine of the two-story tall building, Morse said, adding surveillance photos showed the couple at the shop before the fire. He declined to describe the footage any further.
"There was evidence of a financial motive," he said. "Sometimes in an arson it isn't just for an insurance payout. It's also oftentimes to get out from under the ongoing bills associated with running the business, especially if the business isn't prospering or is failing."
The couple was arrested around
Arson is considered a strike under
The couple purchased the business inside the building just four months before the fire, according to a member of the family who owns the building.
There is no formal plan for the spot where the building stood, according to
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