Lockland Fire Caused By Arson

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Federal and local investigators have determined that the May 1 fire at the Stearns & Foster Building in Lockland, Ohio, was incendiary.

The ATF National Response Team (NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Lockland Fire Department and the Hamilton County Special County Arson Team (SCAT) investigators completed the on-scene investigation today into the cause of the blaze at the building, located at 238 Shepherd in Lockland.

Lockland Fire Department Chief Bill Welshans, Jr., said, “The cause of this fire will officially be classified as incendiary, meaning that investigators believe it was intentionally set. We will continue to investigate this fire as an act of arson.”

Christopher Tardio, resident agent in charge of the ATF Cincinnati Field Office, said, “The ATF National Response Team members, Lockland Fire Department and the Hamilton County SCAT investigators have completed their assignments at the fire scene and will be departing for their home offices on Friday. The investigators have taken countless photographs, recovered potential evidence from the scene for laboratory analysis and conducted a large number of interviews throughout the community.

“The information developed was reviewed and analyzed to assist in determining the cause of the fire. The ATF National Laboratory in Atlanta, Ga., will analyze all evidence collected. Local ATF agents will continue to investigate the fire with officers from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department now that it has been determined that a crime has been committed.”

All the investigators offered a special thanks to the neighboring fire departments that provided their assistance in fighting the fire, the officers of the Lockland Police Department for their countless hours of support for the investigation, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, the Miami Township Fire Department (Hamilton County) for use of their Command Center and the Fairfield City Fire Department for use of their Rehab Center.

Investigators also thanked the people of Lockland and the local businesses that brought food, coffee and support for the fire fighters, police officers and deputies during a very difficult day fighting the fire.

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