Right-Wing Radio Station Gutted By Fire; Cause Probed

A radio station devoted to right-wing, anti-government politics was gutted by fire, although the blaze may have been accidental.

Agents for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation were in this small town Sunday to determine the cause of the fire at KHNC, a radio station whose owner said he had a calling from God to go into broadcasting.

The station airs the American Freedom Network, a show that promotes survival gear, separatist movements and extreme right-wing philosophy.

The Saturday night fire about 40 miles north of Denver also destroyed a publishing office for a magazine called American Freedom.

Dr. Norm Resnick, who airs a show, said the station will likely continue broadcasting.

“We have a state-of-the-art transmitter and it’s not there,” Resnick said.

Resnick refused to disclose the transmitter’s location. When asked whether he thought the station was specifically targeted he refused to speculate, but added, “I’m glad the CBI is there.”

Douglas Ray Hickman, station security manager, said threats have been directed at the station in the past. However, he and Resnick both said that repairs made recently to the station heating system may have had something to do with the fire.

The station was started in 1993 by Resnick and owner Don Wiedeman out of a refurbished farm implement store. It gained notoriety last year when the Freemen, who held the FBI at bay for 81 days in eastern Montana, contacted the station during the siege to air their grievances.