ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Dallas Warehouse Fire

DALLAS, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Response Team (NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with agents from the ATF Dallas Field Division were activated to investigate the Saturday fire scene at Leslie Pool Supply Warehouse, 4202 Dan Morton Dr., Dallas. The NRT arrived yesterday to examine the fire scene as part of the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.

Robert Champion, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Dallas Field Division, said the NRT was deployed at the request of the Dallas Fire Department.  ATF's primary mission at the scene will be to advance the investigation by supplementing the expertise already on the ground.  Due to the nature of the products stored in the warehouse, the scene was predetermined to be a potential hazmat scene.  NRT will work in tandem with investigators from the Dallas Fire Department. The NRT will conduct interviews, reconstruct the scene, identify the origin of the fire, and sift through debris to obtain evidence related to fire.

The monetary loss from this fire is estimated at more than $6.5 million. There were two fire fighters who received injuries during fire fighting operations and were sent to the hospital and released.

This is the 11th activation this fiscal year for the NRT and its 721st since the NRT's inception in 1978.  ATF's NRT has brought definitive expertise and an array of state-of-the-art equipment to the investigation of major fire and explosives incidents.  The NRT is composed of veteran special agents, including certified explosives specialists and certified fire investigators; forensic mappers, accelerant and explosives detection canines; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; electrical engineers; and forensic chemists.  In addition, the NRT's fully equipped response vehicle will be staged at the scene to provide logistical support.

The NRT has been activated to scenes such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building bombing, and the 9/11 Pentagon crash site. The NRT is also deployed to support the safety and security of major sporting events in the United States, presidential inaugurations, national political conventions and major international conferences.

ATF and the City of Dallas are requesting that anyone with information regarding the fire please call the ATF's 24 hour HOTLINE at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473). Callers may remain anonymous.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson.  More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Special Agent/PIO Tom Crowley
(214) 435-5226

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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