By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Jacksonville Fire Department officials announced they located the man who was reportedly seen leaving the scene of the Nov. 11 fire that destroyed the vacant Trinity Church Furniture on N. Jackson Street.
The department’s investigation into the suspicious circumstances of the fire at the Grimes Waterworks Inc.-owned building is still under way.
Fire Marshal Dennis Tate said he could not reveal what the man with the pitbull told fire investigators or disclose his identity, but confirmed the fire department had located him.
Jacksonville Fire Chief Paul White said there was a strange smell emanating from the ruined warehouse Saturday.
“There could be something dead in there,” White said.
Tate said investigators have a general idea as to where the fire started but could not disclose that information because the investigation is continuing. A path will be cleared with heavy machinery brought by the city to further their investigation.
“It could be a lot of dead rats or whatever,” Tate stated. “We’re looking for answers.”
