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Fire Breaks Out Inside Dekalb ROSS Store

By Jennifer Griffies
Fire Breaks Out at Dekalb ROSS Store COMPTON, CA - MARCH 3: People shop at a Ross clothing store in the $80 million Gateway Towne Center mall that created some 3,000 jobs in 2007, March 3, 2009 in Compton, California. The city that became known as the birthplace of gangsta rap and was once one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. is striving to overcome its violent history. The murder rate has been halved in the small 10.5 square mile city, from 65 in 2005 to 28 in 2008. Millions of dollars have been spent on new commercial and residential developments, concerted efforts by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which took over patrolling the city in the 1990s, continue, and outreach programs have been implemented. Despite the progress and lowering of the homicide rate, problems persist. Robberies and burglaries are increasing and gang activity continues. More than a quarter of Compton's residents are poor. As Crips, Bloods, and Latino gangs went to war against one another to control the cocaine trade in the 1980s, some rappers began to glorify their violent lifestyle and brought notoriety to Compton gang life. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (David McNew)
By Jennifer Griffies

DeKalb County firefighters say a fire at Stonecrest Mall is suspicious.

Fire Captain Eric Jackson tells WSB the fire broke out at the Ross Dress For Less Store just after 2 o’clock.

“What we know at this moment in time, we are treating this as an intentionally set fire. There was a rack of towels that someone had noticed that were burning,” said Jackson. Firefighters arrived quickly on the scene.

“Despite the fact that we were able to get the fire knocked down fairly quickly, there were several sprinkler heads that were activated and there was significant smoke spread throughout the entire store,” said Jackson.

No one was injured but the store will be closed indefinitely. Authorities are hoping the suspect may have been captured on surveillance video.



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