An investigation into a downtown fire could be nearing completion, owners say.

Friday, April 20, 2001

An investigation into a downtown fire could be nearing completion, owners say.

Woodgrains Furniture remains closed as police continue to investigate the cause of last December’s fire, but the business’ insurance company says they are close to wrapping it up, said co-owner Cathy Purdie.

Investigators have not yet determined whether the fire was set deliberately, and haven’t recommended any criminal charges, said Assistant Police Chief Dwaine Winkels.

It is not unusual for an investigation of a suspicious fire to go on for as long as a year, Winkels said.

Forensics experts at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it takes one month to do chemical testing on fire samples, but a testing backlog could be slowing progress.

No officials could comment specifically regarding the ongoing investigation.

The Dec. 6 fire caused smoke damage to the store at 310 S. Broadway and two neighboring businesses, but firefighters got the blaze under control before it spread or caused structural damage.

Furniture Outlet and the Christian and Peterson law office, two businesses connected to Woodgrains Furniture, sustained some minor smoke damage.

&uot;This whole experience has been both financially and emotionally exhausting to both our business and family,&uot; said co-owner Brian Purdie in a written statement. &uot;We praise God for what we do have and ask that he continue to look over our family and business as we recover from this disaster.&uot;