Exactamoondo Countygirl, something is definitely amiss. For some reason, if it was I, who had actually burnt down Tehachapi's beloved Depot, in a misfortunate drunkenness, that my name would be a household one. In other words my name would be.."Mudd." Come on!

Yes it does seem pretty ridiculous.  It's not like we're trying to solve a 20 year old murder case!  There's absolutely no facts coming out on a relatively simple case.  I'd like to know what's happening too!

My take is that the fireworks these men may have been shooting off hours earlier had nothing to do with the fire.  I've always thought it extremely unlikely that the fire started the way it was claimed.  

Maybe they're trying to pin it on Kelcy Owens...

It seems to me that the two men involved must either work for the city or somehow be tied to the city enough so that everyone involved has kept their lips sealed. Suprising since nothing else seems to stay a secret for long in this little town.

I think in most instances where the police have enough evidence to charge someone, they will.  They will be reluctant to bring charges against someone if they know they will only be dropped or if they don't have enough evidence to support a conviction, Maybe they are lacking in evidence here. That could explain the lack of information or updates  on this situation.

I suppose it could always be option 3. They're read all the blogs on the TN and are in fear that if they post the names the poor fellows will be hung by the testicles and stoned to death. ........lol

That was sooo not funny Progesso...

I've said this numerous times....the first article was 2 teens confessed.  What was that all about?  Then all of a sudden 2 men (ages were reported, not names) confessed.  OK, if it was an accident, then report it as such.  But charge them with something use of illegal fireworks, damages....something.  I mean, I've seen the legal system work, it doesn't take THIS long for the DA to pick up charges.  It also said that these men had long ties to the community, one having a family.  And.......  It seems as if someone is hiding something or hoping that maybe this will just be brushed under the carpet.  If it were an accident I, myself, can accept that.  Unfortunate accidents happen, but there are also consequences for such devastating accidents.

Well eXcuse me, mimi!  If you don't think it was funny, feel free not to laugh.

Now if I'd suggested it was Jason Caudle and Stan Beckham and included a thong photo, would THAT have been funny?

Oh, yesssss! We love big men in thongs!!!

I think I'm with Progresso on this (not the Kelcy part). Of course just a gut feeling, but I think the oil staining rags are more of a likely culprit than fireworks. They said they had a new metal box to place the used rags in after they already had a small fire caused by them. It only takes one or two oiled rags left in a corner to start a pretty good fire. They are probably looking at both possibilities, and don't want to ruin the two guy's names in town until everything is solid.

Oil stained rags are more likely to be the culprit?  How could that be at 3am?  Spontaneous combustion?

Yes, spontaneous combustion:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

"Boiled linseed oil in a partially confined space (such as a pile of oil-soaked rags left out in an uncovered container) can evaporate leading to a buildup of heat and thus ignition."

Wow....I had no idea.  I guess that could be one possibility.  That would explain the two small fires that the Kelcy waitress had to put out.

Olivia, yes, this was probably the case, and I belive one of the newpaper articles stated that. I believe the "finishing" touches they were putting on the depot before the grand opening was staining the floors.

Either way, it was a very unfortunate accident. I'm not sure if law enforcement will end up pinning it on anyone, but I can guarantee once everything plays out, the insurance company will be going after somebody to reclaim their losses. Hopefully it is not one of the volunteers who worked on the project. Local law enforcement and the group rebuilding the depot would have pity for that person, but not the insurance company. 

Yes, unfortunately, spontaneous combustion is a real and not so rare an occurrence.  Many home fires are a result of oily and/or stain rags left in a pile in a garage.  And if the garage gets hot, then you're just making it even easier for it to happen.  Putting those rags in a metal container (with a lid) is good, putting them in a water filled metal container is even better.

I agree that the spontaneous combustion is a serious possibility, but that is exactly what I was getting at. If they aren't sure what exactly started the fire why has it been reported over and over again that fireworks were responsible for the fire?