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Funeral home torched in Wichita; three bodies inside PDF Print E-mail
Written by DeadGirl   
Sunday, 16 January 2005
January 15, 2005

WICHITA, Kan. - An arsonist torched a Wichita funeral home, destroying the building and burning three bodies awaiting services. Fire officials would not discuss a motive for the fire Friday morning at Vann Funeral Services. Damage was estimated at $210,000.

The three bodies were recovered from the building. Among them was the remains of Robert Taylor, a recent homicide victim, said Michael Vann, the funeral home's operator.

Taylor's remains were being held by authorities, though police, fire investigators and Vann refused to say why. The other two bodies were taken to another mortuary.

Word of the blaze came at 1:38 a.m. Friday with a 911 call, Fire Marshal Ed Bricknell said.

The building was already engulfed in flames in bitterly cold weather. It took an hour to get the fire under control.

Bricknell said the one-story, yellow-brick building - roughly 4,000 square feet - was a total loss. Vann said everything was destroyed or badly damaged including a van, a hearse and caskets.

Fire Capt. Brad Crisp would not discuss a possible motive or how the arson occurred. He said fire officials were working with Wichita police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on the investigation.

Vann said it's too early to decide whether he'll rebuild or move to a new location.

"Right now, my dream is on hold," he said.

Still, Vann said he would try to keep his business operating, using other spaces to continue work. He said seven other mortuaries have offered to help him serve his customers.

The families of those whose bodies were in the funeral home are understanding, Vann said.

"But at the same time," he said, "this has increased their grief level and concern."

Vann said some things inside the property are irreplaceable, including hundreds of thank you cards he's received from families since buying the business in 1998.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10654693.htm?1c
 
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