A vehicle fire that broke out in the parking lot of B&W Truck, Trailer and Machine Shop Monday has been determined to have started in the engine compartment, Fire Marshal Ross Coleman said Tuesday.
Suspicion of arson or other criminal activity quickly rose among the public, as witnesses relayed that the three occupants of the vehicle, described as a female and two "homeless guys", stopped the car in the parking lot of the machine shop and fled on foot just before the smoke turnd to visible flames.
The owner of the Exepdition later spoke with investigators, and notified them that the occupants were known to him, but were not authorized to use the vehicle. He did not indicate whether or not he intends to press charges for the combustible joyride.
The fire, Coleman said, started in the top left part of the engine.
"I'm inclined to believe that it was probably a bad thermostat," he said.
There is no suspicion at this time that the fire is connected to the recent auto burglaries or vehicle fire.
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