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February 14, 2013

California Authorities Deny Intentionally Setting Fire at Cabin Where Fugitive Dorner Was Hiding 
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Authorities in California are denying they intentionally set a fire that
consumed the cabin where fugitive former police officer Christopher
Dorner was believed to be hiding. Dorner is suspected of killing three
people in a campaign of terror against the Los Angeles Police
Department, which he accused of racism and corruption. A sheriff's
deputy was also killed in a shootout at the cabin. Remains recovered
from the burnt-out site have yet to be officially identified. And
questions remain over how the fire got started. An audio recording from
a police scanner appears to show officials from the San Bernardino
Sheriff's Department planning to deploy "burners."

Male voice: "All right, Steve, we're going to go — we're going to
go forward with the plan, with — with the burn [or burner].

Male voice: "We want it, uh, like we talked about."

Male voice: "Seven burners deployed, and we have a fire."

Female voice: "Copy. Seven burners deployed, and we have a fire."

At a news conference Wednesday, San Bernardino Sheriff John Mc Mahon
said the term "burners" refers to pyrotechnic-style tear gas canisters.
He denied the fire was intentional.

John Mc Mahon: "I can tell you that it was not on purpose. We did not
intentionally burn down that cabin to get Mr. Dorner out. The tear gas
canisters that we used — first off, we used a presence when we
showed up. Secondly, we used a cold tear gas. Then we used — the
next tear gas was that that was pyrotechnic, does generate a lot of
heat. We introduced those canisters into the residence, and a fire
erupted."

Authorities said Dorner's wallet and driver's license were found at the
scene.

 

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