HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 08-15 Investigators suspect arson in 3M fire THE REVIEW da9/6 4915'
Invesfigators suspect
arson in 3M fire
Investigation of the July 25 fire at 3M police authorities.
headquarters in suburban Maplewood Their findings are based on physical
indicates it was apparently the result of a evidence of a flammable substance at the
deliberate act. scene. Because of the findings, 3M said
Two indepenent firms, called in by 3M the investigation is continuing and the
to help determine the origin of the 1.5 company's internal security staff is
million early morning blaze, are of this working closely with local officials.
opinion,according to 3M spokesman John 3M also said that although outside in-
Verstraete, vice president, public vestigators believe the fire was the result
relation. of a deliberate act, they do not know how
Earlier speculation as to the cause had it occurred.
centered on the possiblity of equipment or Fire damage was limited largely to the
electrical system malfunction. These sixth floor of 3M's 14-story office building.
potential causes are now ruled out in the Operations returned to normal the day
reports by fire and accident investigators after the fire when employees from that
who have been working in close floor were reassigned to temporary of-
cooperation with Maplewood fire and fices elsewhere among the more than a
dozen major reserch and administration
buildings at 3M Center.
The four-alarm blaze was first
discovered by a 3M guard making his
regular rounds at 2:30 a.m. Twenty-five
units from area fire departments
responded and had the fire under control
in less than an hour.