By Richard Kerns
rkerns@newstribune.info
tribune staff writer

KEYSER — Investigators probing the charred shell of the downtown Comcast building confirmed Tuesday that Saturday night's blaze was arson, and issued an appeal for photographs or video from the fire that may reveal suspects among the bystanders.
After a second day at the scene of the Main Street fire, which resulted in property losses totaling an estimated $300,000, the investigation found that the fire had two sources of origin.
“One was outside and one was inside,” said Officer Chris Paitsel of the Keyser City Police Department, who is also Assistant Chief of the Keyser Volunteer Fire Department.
Paitsel said the investigation also revealed that a forced entry had been made into the building, helping to confirm the arson finding. “We determined there was entry into the building,” he said.
With their suspicions confirmed, law enforcement officials are now shifting the focus of the investigation to finding out who set the fire.
Paitsel said video of the 9:30 p.m. fire has been posted on YouTube, and investigators are hoping to be able to view the video in person to scan the crowd for possible suspects. The veteran police officer said the quality of the YouTube was very good.
“Whatever camera they had, it was a good one,” he said.
Police are also seeking still photographs or other videos that show crowd shots, under the theory that perpetrators of such crimes often return to the scene.
Anyone with video or photos from the fire is asked to contact Keyser City Police at 304-788-1311.