RUMFORD — The investigation of the May 15 fire at the Linnell Motel has concluded and the cause remains undetermined, according to Rumford Fire Chief Bob Chase.
On Thursday, Chase said that following numerous interviews by Dan Young, an investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and after receiving several photos of the fire from the public, the determination was made.
“The suspicion is that (the cause) could be intentional, but there’s not enough evidence to prove it,” he said. He said the photos received from the public were basically all from the same angle, and not the angle Young was hoping for in the investigation.
Because the cause is undermined, the case will remain open in case future evidence is discovered.
The fire started near the second-floor roof in the back of the main building. It was reported just before 2 p.m. May 15.
According to an employee at a nearby store, the motel was fully engulfed in flames by 2:15 p.m. Firefighters and emergency rescue workers from 10 departments battled the blaze.
Chase estimated the damage at well over $100,000.
Fifteen people were living at the 54-room motel when the fire started. No one was injured.
At the May 28 meeting of EnvisionRumford, Jim Rinaldo, economic developer with the River Valley Growth Council, reported that a representative of Best Western has expressed potential interest in locating a hotel with an indoor pool and conference center either at the site of the Linnell Motel or the former Puiia Hardware property.
It was voted to draft a letter expressing EnvisionRumford’s strong support for locating a Best Western motel in Rumford.
bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net
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