Fatal Fire Determination Made at Medical Office Complex Building

Authorities Determine Fire Was Deliberately Set

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with criminal investigators with the Asheville Fire and Police Departments and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) have determined that the fire on July 28, 2011, at the Medical Office Complex Building, 445 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, was deliberately set. Asheville Fire Department Captain Jeffrey Scott Bowen was killed and over $20 million in damage occurred as a result of the fire.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by ATF, the Asheville Police and Fire Departments and the NCSBI.

Anyone with information about this crime is strongly encouraged to contact these agencies at the following numbers:

ATF Arson Hotline at (888) ATF-FIRE or (888) 283-8477
Asheville Police Department Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050
N.C. State Bureau of Investigation at (800) 334-3000

All information will be treated confidentially and callers will remain anonymous if they request.  

It is the policy of the U.S. Department of Justice and ATF that evidence, investigative technique or any other information related to an on-going investigation will not be released or discussed in the public domain until all judicial activity has been completed.  In compliance with that policy, this news release will stand on its own without any additional investigation-related information being added as a result of follow-up media inquiries.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating explosions and fire.  More information on ATF and its programs is at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Earl Woodham  

ATF Supervisory PIO    

(704) 716-1843

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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