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Updated: 2:02 PM Nov 14, 2009
Fire Marshals Investigating Suspicious Fires at Smoke Hole Caverns
PETERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) The West Virginia fire marshal's office is investigating two suspicious blazes at the Smoke Hole Caverns gift shop and restaurant.
Posted: 11:47 AM Nov 13, 2009 |
Courtesy: Jean Warner
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9 Comments 
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The state fire marshal's office is investigating two suspicious blazes at the Smoke Hole Caverns gift shop and restaurant.
The gift shop had billed itself as West Virginia's largest but is now a pile of ash and debris.
Petersburg Fire Chief Tad Ours calls the fires, which occurred Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, "very suspicious."
Smoke Hole Caverns is a popular tourist attraction on Route 55 between Seneca Rocks and Petersburg.
Ours says the first fire started near the restaurant, and crews were called back to the scene about six hours after they left late Tuesday night.
He says no one was in the building at the time.
Smoke Hole's Website says cavern tours are operating normally, and its cabins and motel remain open.
©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Latest Comments
It's sad to see the gift shop burned. We've been there many times, enjoyed a sandwich at the restaurant. If it exists, its saddening to read about a "good ol' boys" network amongst the businesses nearby. This form of discrimination does seem to persist not only in WV, but other places as well. It only impoverishes us all.
No matter what happened, it's a shame. This was one of my favorite spots to visit as a kid, and it's sad to see it burn down. Does anyone know if there are any plans to rebuild?
This is so unbelievable. This fire was uncalled for and I pray that whoever did this will come forward or that the law will find the person responsible. Stop and think that if the weather had not have cooperated -there may have been more lost than just the gift shop building. There are homes that neighbor the gift shop that could have been lost, not to mention the woodland surrounding the gift shop. Thank the Good Lord above for watching out for the "neighbors". To add to Matt's comment to Joe - I remember the 1985 flood and the waters did get into the gift shop and merchandise was lost. Joe, your comment is not amusing at all...
