MOUNT VERNON — The fire in the old Kresge building on Monday was at the top of the list of what Mount Vernon Mayor Richard. K. Mavis talked about during his weekly press conference.
“We had someone up at the debriefing meeting with the ATF and state fire marshal’s office,” Mavis said. “They announced the ATF team and state fire marshal’s team had concluded their inspections and had found no conclusive evidence for the source of the fire. But they found no evidence of criminal activity. Once they made this determination, control of the site went back to the Mount Vernon fire chief. We anticipate turning the building back over to the owner some time today.”
Mavis said the streets and sidewalks around the building would remain closed until it is determined by the city that the area is safe.
“The city’s primary concern is safety,” Mavis said. “The streets will not be reopened until we have information that the area is secure or the owner has decided what he is going to do with it.”
