Atf Team To Investigate Lewiston Fire

Once the brick walls of the 99-year-old Bollinger Plaza are knocked down, a federal fire investigation team will start sorting through the rubble.

“It’s a giant puzzle,” said Kathleen Kiernan, supervisor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ National Response Team.

“We want to find how and where and then who and why, if it’s not accidental.”

The Wednesday fire gutted a restored building which housed seven tenants including the FBI and Jonathan’s restaurant. It caused an estimated $2 million in damage.

Each piece of debris will be brought out, examined and photographed. Any interesting items will be taken to a lab in Walnut Creek, Calif.