Closed shop destroyed in fire had been cited

The taxidermy shop in Palm Harbor that burned down Saturday was issued violation notices three days earlier.

By ROBERT FARLEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 11, 2000

PALM HARBOR -- Just three days before a fire destroyed the defunct Arco Taxidermy shop on Alt. U.S. 19, county officials issued its owners violation notices for debris around the property and for the structure failing to meet minimum housing standards.

The taxidermy shop, across the road from the Chimp Farm, was destroyed by fire Saturday night.

Although Pinellas County Sheriff's Office officials are calling the fire suspicious, investigators with the Palm Harbor Fire Department on Monday called that characterization premature.

Fire investigators are still looking for Frank Walker, 41, the son of the property owners, Joseph and Marjorie Walker. Frank Walker was living at the home off and on and was seen on the property by friends and neighbors on Saturday, said Frank Lowman, a Palm Harbor fire prevention officer.

One thing is certain, Lowman said: Frank Walker was not killed in the fire.

"I spent 15 hours out there yesterday going 1 square foot at a time," Lowman said.

Fire officials hope Frank Walker can shed some light on how the fire started.

"We still have not located the son (Frank)," said Pinellas County Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Tita. "He is not a suspect, but he's somebody we'd like to talk to."

Several weeks before the fire, neighbors had begun to complain about the state of the property, Lowman said.

Last Wednesday, the county's Department of Environmental Management issued the Walkers three notices of violation.

One was for outside storage of indoor furniture, mattresses and clothing. The second was for trash and debris on the property, including furniture, clothing, wood, scrap metal, plastic bags containing garbage, tree trimmings, cans, bottles and paper. The Walkers had a week to clean up those violations or face a fine.

It appears someone had started cleaning up the property, Lowman said. Already, someone had filled a Dumpster with debris, he said, and the family was ordering another trash container.

The third notice of violation was for failing to meet minimum housing standards. Among the listed shortcomings: missing or damaged windows and doors and their screens; deteriorated walls and trim; a damaged and leaking roof and insect infestation of the structure. The family had 45 days to correct those problems.

Lowman said fire investigators worked Sunday and Monday interviewing neighbors and gathering information.

The fire appears to have started in the rear of the building near the kitchen and outside a bedroom that is not connected to the home, Lowman said. Power lines to the home are located where the fire started, he said.

"I really can't call this suspicious, because the house still had power going to it," Lowman said. "We don't want to go around blaming people."

Neighbors told firefighters they heard an explosion or an arcing of electric wires.

Lowman said it will likely take several days before a determination is made whether the fire is suspicious.

The home had formerly operated as a taxidermy shop since 1954 and the Walkers also lived there, Lowman said. Joseph Walker has since moved to his daughter's home in Pasco County. A number of taxidermy pieces were destroyed in the fire.

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