Date: February 11, 2003

ORANGE, TEXAS- The ATF's National Response Team (NRT) and the Orange Police Department and Fire Department have concluded the scene investigation at the Equitable Bag Co. located at 1325 Front Street in Orange, Texas. The fire, which occurred on February 7, 2003, is being ruled undetermined at this time. Leads and evidence obtained from the search of the fire scene will continue to be pursued by local officers and ATF agents.

The NRT was activated due to the magnitude of this fire scene, which covered over 115,000 square feet. This is the 537th NRT activation since the inception of the NRT in 1978 and the 8th in FY 2003. ATF has four NRTs strategically placed across the nation with the capability to assist Federal, State and local investigators with significant fires and explosives incidents. The team deploys and arrives on scene within 24-hours and consists of highly trained Special Agents having post blast and fire cause and origin expertise, forensic chemists with a portable laboratory, a fire protection engineer, a canine handler with an accelerant detecting canine, explosives technology experts and forensic mappers.

Other agencies that participated in the suppression of the scene include the Little Cypress and Bridge City Volunteer Fire Departments.

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