Local, state and federal agencies working to determine cause of blaze

**Statesville Fire Department personnel brief a federal ATF agent on the early morning blaze that caused significant damage to three businesses in Downtown Statesville.**

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Local, state and federal investigators began work Tuesday to determine the cause the fire that caused substantial damage to three businesses in Downtown Statesville.

The State Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Statesville Fire Marshal are investigating the early morning blaze.

Hours after the fire was extinguished, investigators appeared to be focusing their attention on the building used by Theatre Statesville for rehearsal and office space. The nonprofit moved into the Broad Street building in November.

The building housing GGs art frames gifts, which is located on the square at the corner of Broad and Center streets, also sustained extensive damage, along with the Merrill Lynch office next door on Center Street.

All three businesses had heavy fire, smoke, and water damage, and neighboring buildings also had smoke and water damage.

Given the extent of the damage and the size of the buildings, the investigation is expected to be lengthy, and the public is advised to avoid the area if possible, according to the City of Statesville.

Firefighters from throughout the region began responding to the fire about 2:33 a.m., shortly after Statesville Fire Department personnel reported seeing heavy smoke in the area while they were returning to Station 1 while they were returning from a medical call.

The fire was brought under control around 5:30 a.m., but SPD personnel remained on the scene throughout the day. Center Street was closed between Broad and Front street throughout the day as cleanup efforts began.

No injuries were reported.

The City of Statesville and the SFD expressed their gratitude to the numerous agencies who responded, including the Mooresville Fire Department, Hickory Fire Department, Mocksville Fire Department, Troutman Fire Department, Harmony Volunteer Fire Department, South Iredell Volunteer Fire Department, Monticello Volunteer Fire Department, Statesville Police Department, Iredell County Emergency Management, and Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The support from the community has also been overwhelming, city officials said, with many citizens dropping off food, beverages, and words of encouragement to the fire personnel on the scene.

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