A federal agency has determined the cause of the Morton Avenue Warehouse fire in Evansville. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:
The ATF National Response Team says the October blaze originated on the 3rd floor of the complex’s north warehouse, as a result of open flame igniting combustible material.
The agency said the fire was started by what it called occupants that were “not authorized to be inside the structure at the time of the fire.”
Investigators said the fire was started to “keep warm” and the official cause was ruled “incendiary.”
Evansville Police Sgt. Anna Gray said there have been no arrests and no charges will be filed in connection with the October blaze.
Evansville firefighters remained on the scene for several days, dousing hot spots.
The huge red brick building opened in 1902 as the Hercules Buggy Company. It was later renovated and became Servel in 1926.
Servel joined the World War II effort, producing wings for the P-47 Thunderbolt.
After the war, Servel returned to manufacturing commercial products, before going out of business in 1957.
The complex served as home to more companies and eventually Morton Warehousing, which was destroyed in October fire.