Police chief: Suffern fire doesn't appear to be arson

A fire that severely damaged several Suffern businesses doesn't appear to be arson, according to Suffern's police chief.

News 12 Staff

Jan 13, 2022, 12:22 PM

Updated 1,058 days ago

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A fire that severely damaged several Suffern businesses doesn't appear to be arson, according to Suffern's police chief.
Chief Andrew Loughlin told News 12 Thursday that they are still working on determining a cause of the fire, but their preliminary investigation has not found any signs of arson.
He said it is standard procedure to have the arson dog check any structure fire.
News 12 was first to show the smoke and flames Wednesday morning at a commercial building on Lafayette Avenue.
Nearly 80 firefighters from numerous departments responded to the scene, working to extinguish the blaze around 9:30 a.m.
Officials say there were no sprinklers in the building. The Suffern mayor says they are not required.
Mayor Michael Curley says the village will be looking to update codes and fire safety measures in the future.
Meanwhile, businesses owners from the complex are trying to figure out what's next. One of the owners tells News 12 they are thankful for help from neighboring businesses and their loyal customers. "Kirit here at M&M is letting me put flowers in his cooler. Another store is letting me go design in his store. This is what Suffern is about," says Adriane Dianis, of Pine Knoll Florist.
Curley is helping organize a fundraiser to help the local businesses get back on their feet.