ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Georgia Theatre Fire

/PRNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team, along with ATF special agents from the Atlanta Field Division, have entered the investigation of a commercial fire that occurred on Friday, June 19, at the historic Georgia Theatre in Athens. The NRT is deploying at the request of the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department and will arrive this morning to begin its work at the scene.

The structure, a popular entertainment venue located at 215 North Lumpkin Street in Athens, suffered extensive damage with a preliminary estimated loss of $1.5 to $2 million.

The NRT has brought definitive expertise and an array of state-of-the-art equipment to the investigation of major fire and explosives incidents since 1978. Four regional components, organized geographically to cover the United States, comprise the NRT. The team can respond within 24 hours to assist state and local law enforcement or fire service personnel in onsite investigations.

The responding NRT component normally has 18 members, including veteran special agents who have post-blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise; forensic chemists; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; accelerant detection canines; explosives detection canines; and intelligence, computer forensic and audit support. A fleet of fully equipped response vehicles strategically located throughout the United States provides logistical support. The responding NRT team supervisor is Special Agent Chris Porreca and the Team Special Agent in Charge is Dondi Albritton.

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