Early-Morning Fire Completely Destroys Abortion Clinic in Tennessee
A Planned Parenthood clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a “total loss” after a devastating fire broke out early on New Year’s Eve morning, local officials say. The clinic, which provides abortions, was reported ablaze around 6:30 a.m., the Knoxville Fire Department said in a 9:30 a.m. statement.
“On arrival companies found a large single story commercial building fully involved with fire through the roof,” the department statement read. “The building was being renovated at the time of the fire. The building is a total loss. The fire is currently under investigation. Further information will be released as the investigation continues.” Knoxville Police said that the fire department's arson investigators were still taking the lead on the case as of Friday morning.
The Knoxville Fire Department was only able to safely enter the building by early afternoon, Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks said. Previously, the department had examined the interior via a drone, looking for a fire cause and origin.
“Right now we don’t have a cause and we don’t have a lot of information pointing in the direction of arson,” Wilbanks said, noting that the building had been undergoing repairs. Still, “due to the nature of the building, that it’s a Planned Parenthood, we’re examining all angles.”
The East Knoxville clinic came under attack earlier this year, when a gunman opened fire on its glass doors, shattering them. No one has been arrested in the attack.
The clinic has also spent a year and a half in the crosshairs of a religious group, “The Church At Planned Parenthood,” that holds regular protests outside the women’s health facility.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/east-knoxville-planned-parenthood-abortion-clinic-destroyed-by-fire-in-tennessee
= new reply since forum marked as read
I’d be banned.
