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Federal Agents Aiding in Hawkinson Fire Investigation, Not Taking it Over
Federal investigators have been called to assist in the reconstruction of last week's colossal fire at the former Hawkinson Manufacturing building.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives first arrived to the scene this week. Despite ATF's presence, Battalion Chief Dan Foley tells WGIL the investigative lead hasn't changed.

"We are, the Galesburg Fire Department, is still the lead investigators, (or) organization, for this fire," Foley said. "We have not given up this investigation."

Foley says ATF's cooperation will help to determine a cause to the June 12th blaze. But more importantly, he tells WGIL agents may be able to explain the spectacular and rare nature of the fire.

"The fire behavior in this fire was a little unusual. It progressed faster than we would normally expect it to," he said. "We want to have every fact and every asset available to us, and in this case it includes ATF."

According to Foley, ATF has even contracted a canine to piece together what the scene may have looked like before the fire.

He says some excavation has been done at the site to make certain debris piles more accessible. He says it's likely the investigation continues for several months.


(Crews work to put out the Hawkinson Manufacturing fire June 12 in Galesburg. WGIL News Story by Kyle Schassburger, file photo by Will Stevenson.)
06 22 12 by Newsroom
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