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Investigators Seek Arson Clues in Gallery Blaze

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: December 21, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - Someone out there has information about who started the fire at Imago Art Gallery.

"It was not a normal fire," Bill McElligott, Dunedin Fire Department division chief, said.

"This one definitely had a lot help," he said. "It was definitely arson."

On Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2:57 a.m., Dunedin firefighters responded to a structure fire at the Imago Art Gallery, 464 Douglas Ave. Firefighters were on the scene in minutes, struck an immediate second alarm and evacuated nearby apartments just 8 feet away, McElligott said.

The "most spectacular blaze in recent Dunedin history" destroyed works of more than 15 artists, along with the 60-year-old building, the fire official said.

Fire officials are now searching for information on the cause of the blaze.

"Someone might have seen something, knows something or heard something that can help in the investigation," McElligott said.

McElligott declined to comment further on the nature of the fire because remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the fire is being urged to contact the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, Crime Stoppers or the State Fire Marshal.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has listed the Imago fire in its Arson Cash Rewards Program. This program provides cash awards to citizens who provide information to law enforcement that leads to the arrest and conviction of arsonists.

At the time of the fire the Imago building's two occupants were able to evacuate prior to the Fire Department's arrival. The pair initially tried to fight the blaze before leaving the structure, the division chief said.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames from the rear quarter of the building. They conducted an aggressive interior attack to push the fire out of the building but were hindered by flames in the loft of the building and its age, McElligott said.

At 3:14 a.m. firefighters were backed out of the building and switched to an exterior attack because of the intensity of the blaze. The fire was brought under control at 4:29 a.m.

All Dunedin Fire Department units responded to the art gallery fire, assisted by units from Clearwater, Palm Harbor and Largo fire departments.

Firefighters were able to protect apartments within a few feet to the south side of the structure. Those units were completely untouched by fire and after the blaze residents were able to return to their homes.

There were no casualties and no injuries reported. Valued in excess of $500,000, the Imago building was a total loss, McElligott said.

Firefighters assisted some of the artists in salvaging their works, some of which were buried in ruble, the day following the fire.

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