SUV Explodes at Tenn. Hotel-Convention
Wednesday July 21, 2004 5:01 PM
By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II
Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A sport utility vehicle exploded in a parking
lot at Nashville's largest hotel, killing one male inside, and
authorities said they suspected a homemade bomb was involved.
The explosion occurred late Tuesday about a half-mile from the main
entrance of Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, and about
200 feet from a day care center, which was closed, said Jim Cavanaugh
of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Police said the blast was felt miles away, and it left nothing but a
shell of the SUV.
Investigators from the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force were at the
scene, but FBI agent Doug Riggin said there was no reason to suspect
terrorism.
Cavanaugh said the cause hadn't yet been determined but investigators
suspect a homemade bomb.
``It could have been homicide or suicide or the guy may have just
blown himself up,'' police Homicide Detective Brad Putnam said.
Cavanaugh said authorities were trying to trace the SUV's license
plates to identify the victim.
The Gaylord Opryland has 2,881 rooms. The Grand Ole Opry's theater is
on the hotel grounds and there is an adjacent shopping mall. ``We
haven't got a lot of calls from guests, but we are addressing any
concerns they may have,'' hotel spokeswoman Karen Hunter-Lowery said.
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Inferno at paper plant was arson
The $5.5 million blaze put hundreds out of work
By Matthew D. LaPlante
The Salt Lake Tribune
Billy Brady's suspicions have been confirmed. The six-alarm fire that
ravaged the storage yard at the paper plant where he works was started
deliberately, according to federal officials.
But by whom? And why? Brady's not sure he even wants to know.
"I hope I don't find out who it was," said Brady, who has been an
operator at the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. for more than a decade.
"I wouldn't trust myself to know who it was."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced
Wednesday that the spectacular fire Friday in South Salt Lake was
intentionally set and would be further investigated as an arson.
Authorities are not yet prepared to speculate on the identity of
the arsonist or arsonists.
"As far as who could have done it, we're not ruling anybody out,"
said South Salt Lake fire Chief Steve Foote. "No one has been
excluded."
That includes extremist groups such as the Earth Liberation Front,
which has claimed responsibility for a number of fires set on targets
such as lumberyards and sport utility vehicle dealerships.
"We're not ruling out domestic terrorism networks," Foote said.
However, Foote said he was unaware of any group claiming
responsibility for the blaze, which was marked by a pillar of flame
and smoke visible from around the Salt Lake Valley.
Officials estimate the fire caused about $5.5 million in damage to
the plant's roll stock and sections of the roof.
Firefighters were able to keep the inferno from engulfing the main
building, however, and officials at Smurfit-Stone say most of their
equipment was spared serious damage.
No one was injured, but several hundred
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employees of the Smurfit - including Brady - were temporarily put
out of work.
"I just don't think people who do this kind of thing understand the
effect it has on people and family," he said. "You spend so much time
and work so hard to stay on top of your bills and be on top of things,
and something like this happens that just spins your life out of
control."
Smurfit asked most of its workers to take vacation time or file for
unemployment while a small number of employees bring the plant back
into working shape.
In announcing the conclusion of a five-day investigation into the
fire's cause, ATF Special Agent Paul Vido praised the way local
agencies battled the blaze.
"I commend the exceptional job of the South Salt Lake City Fire
Department in containing the fire and the joint investigative efforts
of the police and fire departments," Vido said.
Foote said he was extremely satisfied - and even surprised - that a
firefighting effort that incorporated multiple agencies had been so
successful, given the size of the blaze.
================================================================================
Everett log yard fire still a mystery
Herald staff
EVERETT - Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a
suspicious fire that did at least $500,000 in damage to a north
Everett log yard on Tuesday.
Evidence gathered at the scene is being tested at the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives crime lab to help determine
the cause and origin of the fire, Everett police Sgt. Boyd Bryant said
Wednesday.
The lab work is expected to take three to five days, he said.
Investigators are not calling the fire arson, but are continuing to
call it highly suspicious, Bryant said.
The blaze was reported at 1:39 a.m. Tuesday in the 3600 block of
Eclipse Mill Road along the Snohomish River. The city-owned site is
leased by Montesano-based Willis Enterprises, which manufactures wood
chips used in paper products.
The flames destroyed a wood chipper, a log loader, an earthmover and a
trailer used as an office, Bryant said. Agents from the ATF are
assisting in the investigation.
The fire is not believed to be connected to a string of small arsons
in north Everett, Bryant said.
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| User: "TonyZ2001" |
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| Title: Re: Earth Liberation Front on the Offensive? |
25 Jul 2004 10:32:08 AM |
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Shhhhh, the Liberals don't want you to tell people about these Left Wing
wackos.
Tony
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| User: "Mark" |
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| Title: Re: Earth Liberation Front on the Offensive? |
25 Jul 2004 11:39:46 AM |
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"TonyZ2001" <tonyz2001@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040725113208.23846.00002690@mb-m28.aol.com...
Shhhhh, the Liberals don't want you to tell people about these Left Wing
wackos.
Shhhh, the right-wing fundies don't want you to tell people about these oil
grubbing, sick socio-paths, that would do ANYTHING to increase the net
misery in OUR world.
-- "I am the anti-Christ" --- ToeKnee
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