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By VALERIE KALFRIN
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Whatever caused a devastating fire inside a hotel under construction last month is a mystery, but investigators have determined the blaze was not set deliberately.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue battled the four-alarm blaze inside the Best Western Inn & Suites on West Waters Avenue near Dale Mabry Highway on June 29. Friday, agency spokesman Ray Yeakley said investigators were listing the cause of the fire as “undetermined” so far, but the investigation remains open.
They have been able to rule the fire was an accident.
At this time, “not one thing stands out as the actual culprit” that started the fire, Yeakley said.
The 41,000-square-foot hotel has 72 rooms. The fire appears to have started in the east side of the building either in the fourth floor or attic, Yeakley has said. It spread quickly because open windows and uninstalled ceilings allowed air to feed the flames.
About 60 firefighters battled the fire. None suffered serious injury.
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