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No arrests yet in Tyrone arson

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Two juveniles are responsible for setting a fire that damaged a business and a government storage building in broad day light in Tyrone April 15.

But it remains unclear if the juveniles will have to answer for their alleged involvement in the crimes that caused a collective $257,000 in damage to 74 Mini Storage, 125 Commerce Drive, and a storage building at Tyrone Town Hall.

More than two months have passed since the arson, however first-degree arson charges have not been levied against the juveniles, Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services Fire Marshal David Scarbrough indicated. When pressed for further details, Scarbrough stated, “I don’t have any comment.”

Citing confidentiality issues regarding juveniles accused of crimes, the fire marshal was tight-lipped about the case.

“I cannot release the ages, genders or names,” Scarbrough said. “There has not been a charge of first-degree made.”

According to “A Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide to Open Records,” incident reports, arrest reports or closed case files involving juveniles 13 and over who are charged with first- or second-degree arson should be disclosed to the public.

Scarbrough still held firm to his stance and failed to disclose any specifics about the case.

The fire at 74 Mini Storage caused about $250,000 in damage to the business owned by Jerry Knowles. The fire at the storage building at Town Hall caused about $7,000 in damage.

The damage left in the wake of the arson at the government storage building remained evident Monday. The door on one of the buildings was warped. A metal pole was used to keep the door ajar. Red crime scene tape still encircled the structure.

Town Manager Barry Amos indicated he is waiting for the insurance company to cut a check to repair the building. As for prosecuting the juveniles, he indicated he would leave that in the hands of law enforcement officials.