Arson Investigation; Prostitution Sting
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CNN has learned that investigators are talking with several individuals in connection with this arson. But these are not yet people classified as persons of interest much yet as suspects in this case. The fire meanwhile continues to burn. Now, more than 28,000 acres have been scorched here. It’s about 30 percent contained at this point in time the same as it’s been the last couple days. But firefighters are more optimistic, in part because of this weather. It’s quite calm, it is cool, high humidity, it’s even and rained from time to time. But Fire officials note that conditions can change very fast, fires can change very fast. There’s certainly no declaration of victory here over this fire, not yet. Melissa, back to you. MELISSA LONG, HOST: Jeanne, let’s go back to the investigation. I’m curious what they have find on the sites, that they know they are, in fact, started by arson and what clues they have to go with for their investigation. MESERVE: Well, what we know is this, they believe there were two points of origin of this fire, rather than just one. And they’ve ruled out any number of things that might have been contributing factors for instance, there was no lightning strike or there was no power line downed. So, by a process of elimination, they come to the conclusion that this was deliberately set. Now, the ATF has had agents out there for several days, combing over these terrain, looking for specific pieces of evidence. They are not telling us exactly what they found, but they have sent samples to laboratories, a couple of different laboratories. I asked today one of the investigators if they had gotten samples back. They have not as yet. They’re waiting for those to see if, perhaps, they find some trace of accelerant, perhaps. They also were hoping that maybe something on the side of the road might contain DNA like a Kleenex or a cigarette butt or a discarded can. But again, they have not gotten those results that could be so helpful in building this case. But the most important thing, investigators say, are the public tips. That is why they have a hotline over why they are asking the public to call if they have seen anything suspicious that might relate to this arson. LONG: And again, while they’re still searching today for that F- 150 Ford pickup. Jeanne Meserve live from Orange, California. Jeanne, thank you. More : edition.cnn.com |