'No one ruled out yet' in West Jordan fire

WEST JORDAN — Investigators said Tuesday no one had been ruled out as they tried to determine whether a violent eco-terrorist group was responsible for a three-alarm fire at a lumberyard.

A fax was sent to KSL Newsradio on Tuesday afternoon with the heading "E.L.F." — initials used to identify the Earth Liberation Front. However, authorities had not confirmed whether the ELF actually sent it.

The fax indicated that Stock Building Supply's warehouses near 9000 South and 1300 West were targeted early Monday because the forklifts used there allegedly "put out far more pollutants than average diesel engines," the fax stated.

The warehouse may have been targeted after several warnings to repair the forklifts.

"They are destroying the ozone and posing a serious health risk to nearby humans and living animals," the fax stated.

A lumberyard, a Hummer dealership and Kennecott Copper are among other businesses that also could be targeted, the fax said.

Officials from KSL sent the fax to the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Robert Wright, spokesman with the Salt Lake FBI office, said a phone number at the top of the fax that's supposed to show the sender's fax number can be manipulated.

"We are taking a look at things and are assessing the information that's contained in the fax," he said.

Agents from the FBI, ATF and West Jordan Fire Department continued to sort through the rubble left from the fire. The fire caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage.

The initials "ELF" were spray painted on three areas of the lumberyard: twice on the main store building, which did not burn, and once on a delivery truck.

The Earth Liberation Front is a violent international underground group that has carried out dozens of actions since 1997 resulting in nearly $100 million in damage.

The ELF traditionally has been quick to claim responsibility for its actions. As of Tuesday, investigators said no one had claimed responsibility for the fire and they had not had any contact with the ELF.

West Jordan Assistant Fire Chief Brad Wardle said as of Tuesday there wasn't any credible evidence linking the ELF to the fire.

"That's not the only lead," he stressed. "We're still young in the investigation. We have many leads we're following."