Utica Fire Officials call West Street fire suspicious

By By GRANT DeBRUIN

Story Created: Jul 3, 2008 at 8:06 AM EST

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2008 at 8:06 AM EST

UTICA - Utica fire officials are calling a blaze on West Street suspicious. Now the city's newly formed "Arson Task Force" is investigating the fire. The fire at the old "West Regency Apartments" at 1015 West Street broke out around 10:30 Wednesday night.

Authorities say the fire started on the second floor, then quickly spread to the third floor. The city's Fire Chief says the building contains several apartments but all are vacant.

"The neighbors have already provided us with information stating that even all day long today there was some drug activity, prostitution people coming and going throughout the course of the day and all these activities are tied together of course with arson and other crimes," Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks said.

There are no reports of any injuries and the investigation is ongoing.
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