Junction Avenue fire cause determined to be arson
From our weekly issue dated November 18, 2009
An investigation has determined that a fire at an abandoned building at 441 S. Junction Ave. in Cave Junction on the evening of Friday, Oct. 23 was caused by arson.
That announcement was made Thursday, Nov. 12 by Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) Fire Marshal Jerry Schaeffer during a 45-minute board of directors meeting at district headquarters on Caves Hwy.
Schaeffer noted that a $5,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the blaze at the former Family Tree Nursery. Anyone with information is asked to phone IVFD at 592-2225.
Also discussed at the meeting was the recent passing of longtime IVFD fire prevention specialist Richard Miller.
Chief Harry Rich asked the board to retire Miller’s badge. Director Edwin Butler moved to approve Rich’s request, and Jerry Lamb seconded. The motion passed 5-0, and will enable the badge to be presented to Miller’s family during his funeral.
The funeral has tentatively been scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, and will feature an honor guard from the state and IVFD firefighters as pallbearers. IVFD dispatchers will run Miller’s last alarm just prior to the service.
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Butler later moved to place Miller’s name in the minutes of upcoming IVFD board meetings, as Miller was frequently in attendance throughout the past few years.
“He’s going to be at every meeting in spirit,” Butler said. “I guarantee it.”
That motion also passed unanimously.
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