The State - News from Jan. 23, 1987

Investigators said a fire that gutted a Fresno fabric shop late last week was deliberately set and may be linked to other business fires in Fresno, Bakersfield and Tulare. “We have determined that the Hancock Fabric shop fire . . . was definitely a case of arson,” Deputy Fresno Fire Marshal Mike Collins said. The blaze, which started while the store was open and customers were on the premises, caused $800,000 damage. No one was injured. Collins said there may be a link between the Hancock fire and one earlier at the Payless department store several blocks away. He also said deliberately set business fires in Tulare and Bakersfield, including a Hancock Fabric shop that was destroyed in Bakersfield, also had similarities.