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Crews respond to fire at condo construction site

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published March 16, 2007

TAMPA - Nine days after two downtown buildings went up in flames on the same night, Tampa Fire Rescue reported to a fire on the top floor of the Towers of Channelside, a high-rise, two-tower condominium under construction at 1211 E Cumberland Ave.

On the scene at 11:09 p.m. Wednesday, fire crews spotted a glow on the top floor of a 29-story tower. They climbed the stairs to the roof and found that a 20-pound propane tank had apparently been turned on and set ablaze, Tampa Fire spokesman Capt. Bill Wade said.

The fire was out when crews reached the floor, and they closed the valve on the tank, Wade said. Further investigation revealed another larger propane tank on the 29th floor, with its valve open and tank empty.

Investigators from the Tampa Fire Marshal's Office believe it was a case of arson. Someone probably used the stairs to climb to the top and set the propane tanks on fire, Wade said. The fire Wednesday night, like two that occurred March 5, was discovered about 11 p.m.

No injuries were reported, and damage to the building was minor.

It was the second time in a little more than a week that downtown's condominium construction sites were breached. Tuesday of last week, two men climbed the 32 flights of stairs in SkyPoint, at Ashley Drive and Polk Street, so that one could jump off the building with a parachute.

"It would be prudent for the fire marshals and police department to review that these buildings are properly secured," Wade said.

The Towers of Channelside has a security guard and a fence.

On March 5, fires consumed two abandoned downtown buildings. Although the cause of those fires is still under investigation, arson hasn't been ruled out.

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 813 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 16, 2007, 00:57:00]