Feb. 17--A fire at an Old Town horse stable that destroyed or damaged 13 carriages this month has been ruled arson, police said Monday.
The Feb. 6 fire started at the Noble Horse Theatre, 1410 N. Orleans St., around 1:25 a.m., police said. No horses were injured in the fire, which was contained to an area away from the animals, police have said.
An investigation into the fire determined that it was arson, said police spokesman Thomas Sweeney.
The investigation was turned over to FBI officials, Sweeney said.
While the FBI does not investigate all fires, it is "not uncommon" for the agency to assist in arson investigations with state and local agencies, according to FBI spokeswoman Joan Hyde.
"While I can confirm that we are investigating this matter and coordinating with those law enforcement partners, it is an ongoing investigation and, accordingly, I am not at liberty to provide additional information at this time," Hyde said in a statement.
After the fire, several burned carriages could be seen outside next to the building. In preliminary statements, police and fire officials said the fire appeared accidental, possibly electrical but that was revised with the arson determination.
Jim Rogers, owner of Great Lakes Horse and Carriage, which had leased space for his two carriages at the stable, lost both of them. The operation from which he leases space, Antique Coach and Carriage, saw 11 carriages damaged or destroyed, Rogers said.
"It doesn't surprise me," Rogers said Monday about the arson ruling. "Electrical fires don't leave graffiti."
He said that after the fire, officials found graffiti spray painted on several walls of the building. He said the graffiti messages included, "Save the horses" and "Freedom."
He said since the fire he has lost about $4,000 in business, his sole income. He had to return money to customers who had booked his carriages for Valentine's Day.
He is planning to borrow two carriages and return to work when the cold weather breaks, he said.
"I'm a little guy," he said. "This hurts."
A suspicious fire in September 2012 damaged five carriages, officials said at the time. No horses were injured in that fire either.
