Owner of historic Tweed House says fire was caused by arson

Firefighters were able to save the majority of the structure within two hours, with the damage being confined to the roof, the attic, the west side of the home, and the interior. There is no estimate yet on total damage to the home.

The fire was deemed suspicious the same day, and the Major Crimes Unit of the local police has taken over the investigation. On Wednesday morning, however, Iannattone said he had been told by an insurance adjuster that the fire was an arson.

While he said there was more investigation to be done, Iannattone indicated that evidence of fire accelerants had been found in the apartment suite most damaged by the blaze. According to Iannattone, the fire wasn’t ‘typical’ such as one caused by the failure of a stove or fridge.

He also had no idea of the motives for whoever was responsible.

“I don’t think it was something that included revenge, or at least I hope not,” said Iannattone.

“I consider myself quite a sociable person. There’s certainly people I don’t like, and maybe some people who don’t like me, but I don’t think anything necessitated (this). My own thoughts are that it’s random. I could be wrong, but I think it’s random.”

He believed the person or person’s responsible saw an opportunity, due to the house being empty and a lack of motion-sensing lights on the exterior.

“I compare them to a malicious person, walking down the back lane, smashing car windows because they want to,” said Iannattone.

Iannattone and his wife have owned the building since 1991, originally purchasing the structure with intention to renovate the space. It contained four apartment suites, along with a small unusable space in the basement. After running the building for ten years as it stood, the couple began to fix up the suites.

The most recent renovations, according to Iannattone, were being done around two weeks ago. The focus this year had been putting in new steps and railings, and the whole space had been changed over to one large suite, and a ‘granny suite’ on the west end. The house hadn’t been occupied or rented for the last six years.

The fire began in the ‘granny suite’. Since attending the scene yesterday morning, Iannattone hasn’t been in the building. However, he does intend to see the house repaired.

“My heart is somewhat broken over it, because I know the hours that went into it,” said Iannattone.

“The original intention was to occupy it ourselves, unfortunately, there are a few health issues that have come up on my part. I’m still able bodied, but not as able as I once was.”

They had put the house up for sale around two weeks ago, and Iannattone believes it is not beyond repair. However, he doesn’t expect to be involved beyond some oversight on the contractor hired for the insurance claim.

“There’s a certain high standard I maintain,” said Iannattone.

“I’ve got a bit of a history of saving whales, I guess.”

He has one message for the perpetrators of the fire.

“It’s shameful,” he said. “It’s too bad that they would have torched this house, or any house for that matter.

“It’s ab absurd way to get any sort of pleasure. It’s very, very unfortunate.”

Major Crimes confirming Wednesday the fire is being investigated as arson, but there have been no arrests made.

-with files from Charles Lefebvre

by James Wood/Charles Lefebvre

Owner of historic Tweed House says fire was caused by arson

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