Authorities seeking public’s help in investigation of weekend fire

Published 5:00 am Thursday, May 3, 2007

The State Fire Marshal’s office and the Lincoln County Sheriff’sDepartment are looking for possible witnesses in a suspicious fireat Hubbard Chiropractic Center over the weekend.

“Basically, we’re asking for anyone who saw anything at HubbardChiropractic on Saturday, April 28, to let us know,” said Sheriff’sDepartment Capt. Dustin Bairfield. “Whether they think it wasimportant to the investigation or not, it could be.”

Bairfield said anyone who saw anything between the hours of noonand 2 p.m. that day is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Departmentor the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Deputy State Fire Marshal Scott Barnes confirmed Tuesday thatthe origin of the fire that destroyed the front exterior of thestructure was, in fact, started outside the building. He declinedto speculate on whether the fire was aided chemically.

“At this time it’s still undetermined,” he said. “The fire isstill under investigation.”

Bairfield said that it had been determined that a bag of trashat the corner of the porch was the actual origin of the fire, andconfirmed that the damage appeared to be much greater than theoriginal estimate of 30-40 percent.

“It could have been accidental,” Bairfield said. “But the smokedamage alone is over 30 percent.”

Tuesday, incidentally, was 20 years to the day that HubbardChiropractic Center opened in Brookhaven.

Dr. David Hubbard, the owner of the clinic, said he plans tocontinue work in spite of the circumstances.

“Dr. Mark Giust has offered me a room in his facility to seepatients,” he said. “And the state association is looking intogetting me an adjusting table. And we’re going to do whatever ittakes to repair the facility and be back in business as soon aspossible.”

Hubbard said the support of his clients, family and friends hascarried him through the understandable frustrations of dealing withthe aftermath of the blaze.

“I really want to thank everyone for all the well-wishing andthe prayers,” he said. “I appreciate it more than I can say.”

Hubbard said until the facility is revamped, he will be workingfrom the Giust Chiropractic Clinic at 880 Brookway Blvd. Officehours will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and from 8a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Hubbard also has a chiropractic center at 908 Delaware Ave. inMcComb.

Anyone who might have witnessed anything suspicious or pertinentis urged to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department at (601)833-5231 or the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (601) 359-1061.