Skulz - What A Coincidence

h/t to Kathy and Steve on this one - a big one.

Imagine this - a guy in Richmond makes entries on a web log which appear to give the indication he has an unusal interest in fire, perhaps.

In March 2004 the area where he lives experienced its most significant fire in its history resulting in approximately $20 Million in damage and the loss of one life.

Nine days ago a wind-fed fireball swept across Broad Street just west of downtown, a noontime conflagration this paper called "the most devastating fire in decades" in Richmond.

There was even talk of it being the worst fire in the city since the Civil War. The fire was a monster, fueled by five stories of kiln-dried lumber - the skeleton of a student apartment building under construction.

Were it not for the heroic efforts of more than 100 firefighters - and even some residents - much more property, and probably some lives, would've been lost.

Damage from the three-alarm blaze is estimated at about $20 million. The fire was marked under control at 6 p.m., about 5½ hours after the blaze began.

Two firefighters and one VCU security guard suffered minor injuries. A woman died after the power to her nearby home was shut off; the battery to her backup oxygen supply was not charged.

"This incident posed one of the greatest challenges this department has ever faced in terms of potential loss of life and property," Richmond Fire Chief Larry Tunstall said. RAMZ had planned to lease the apartments to VCU for the housing of 172 students. VCU and the developer said they hope to rebuild.

Cigarette butts swept into trash bags with combustible construction debris are the possible cause of the fire two weeks ago at an under-construction apartment building on West Broad Street.

Construction workers had dumped bags of flammable material and cigarette butts into "an already jammed trash chute," Richmond fire investigators announced yesterday. The fire began just after noon March 26 in a trash chute "in the vicinity of the second floor" of the five-story apartment building at 933 W. Broad St., which was to have housed Virginia Commonwealth University students this fall.

The individual in question, Skulz, railed against the police and fire company and even blamed the woman's death on them in his journal entries - some of which now appear to be deleted.

But the most confounding coincidence of all is that this indivudal seems to have both before and after pictures of the fire from precisely the same location - as well as pictures of the fire in progress. All apparently taken within the same general time frame. It's almost as if he knew that fire was going to take place. Boy, life sure is full of coincidences, isn't it?

more stories on the fire here and see Steve Huff for more on Skulz.

This post is also available at Blogger News Network.

Comments

[!]

http://www.onemodelplace.com/photographer_list.cfm?P_ID=120442

It mentions his pics of the fire or fires in his info. Creery person.

[Cindi in PA]

My step dad is a retired police detective. He has often made the comment, the "perp" most often hangs around to watch the out come. That is one thing investigators take note of. Most criminals will return to the crime scene.

[Cindi in PA]

It mentions his pics of the fire or fires in his info. Creery person.

Posted by: ! | Sep 18, 2005 12:22:26 AM

Considering this guy claims to be a photographer.......I am betting he has something to do with the fire and Taylor.

[!]

http://www.onemodelplace.com/model_list.cfm?ID=175039

Read this.

[GrannyToad]

Hmm. Which car in the photos is his? ;)

[!]

G U I L T Y !

[Allen]

Actually ...

The first picture in the series might appear to be a "before" shot, but it is not. I know, because I work right next door, in the parking garage next to the burned building. You'll see that when the fire started, there were no bricks on the building, just sheetrock (bottom photo here). The top photo is from the REBUILD of the building, and from further along in the construction process; it is not a before shot. The building was finished in time for students to move into it (it is a VCU student apt. bldg.) in the spring 2005 semester.

Also, they are well aware of how the fire started. The fire control system was not yet in place (it would have been a week later, if not for the fire) and a welder's sparks just happened to catch the wood paneling on fire. No one was found to be at fault, it was just one of those things that happen from time to time, a freak occurance.

So, this "perp" you talk of is innocent. He just probably wanted you guys to think he did something to ruffle some feathers, or for the fun of pulling your leg. No need to bear false witness.

Byee,
Allen

[Cindi in PA]

Also, they are well aware of how the fire started. The fire control system was not yet in place (it would have been a week later, if not for the fire) and a welder's sparks just happened to catch the wood paneling on fire. No one was found to be at fault, it was just one of those things that happen from time to time, a freak occurance.
Posted by: Allen | Sep 18, 2005 8:21:27 AM

From what I have read, it was started as stated above. Construction workers had dumped bags of flammable material and cigarette butts into "an already jammed trash chute," Richmond fire investigators announced yesterday. The fire began just after noon March 26 in a trash chute "in the vicinity of the second floor" of the five-story apartment building at 933 W. Broad St., which was to have housed Virginia Commonwealth University students this fall. Can you provide something more to support your fact that is was a welders torch?

[wtfsit?]

More interesting still is....
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review153772.html

[!]

Sounds like there is a serial killer on the loose or serial killer's. Something is not right about this town.

[k.jeanne]

Did the fire burn the leaves off the trees? In the picture before fire there are leaves on the trees, but during/after the leaves are gone. I don't think the fire was close enough to burn the leaves off, so how could the before photo with leaves on trees have been 2004, if the building burned in March 2004? The leaves would have fallen off in the Autumn of 2003.

[hmmm....]

Out all "night"
Journal Entry: Fri Sep 2, 2005, 8:03 AM

:: Most others are sleeping when I awake. Got up after dark and went to call on someone. Got back later, not sure when. Did some work on the computer for a while. Then I wandered off in the early morning to take photos and explore some spots I have had my eye on for a time. I got back here around 9am. As most are just starting their day I was thinking of calling it a night. Well I forgot I had some things to work on so I am off once again. Going to price a bus ticket to Philly for another trip. ::

:: Note; I had one, just one notice I had posted about 230 things to Deviant Art. Yes, I moved some so they are not up here. This person also noted that I have been posting some of my older work. Yes, I have been digging through my boxes of projects and taking photos of what I have that is finished. Other projects I am finishing. So I will be posting more work from the past as September rolls along. ::

:: Drugs; Yes, others have noted I have images and photos of Drugs here and there. Well just a note, all are mine, no law was broken in the taking of the photos. The photos showing me in the act of committing a crime are here and there. The crime and what photos are in question are for me to know and for you to figure out, or not. ::

Note the last two sentences.

[berry]

What does a fire have to do with anything?

He needs a good alibi for the 5th - a really good one. Other than that, he just looks like one of many Goth-type folk who are probably scarier looking than what they really are.

If he did it - they'll figure it out. But maybe not.

How is it so many attractive young women elude the observation of so many? No one saw Brook Wilberger abducted in broad daylight on a parking lot. No one saw Natalee Holloway. Apparently no one saw Taylor. Perhaps people should just try to be more observant in general.

[Anonymous]

Let's not prejudge. It is entirely plausible he was taking pictures of a new building as it was being constructed for simple comparison purposes. It has been well established at this point that the fire was caused by uninformed construction workers improperly disposing of cigarette butts in a densely packed trash chute -- precisely the location at the center of the building where the fire started (I was living in a VCU building with a view of the fire at the time it started, so I can tell you first-hand that this it the case).

This guy is an amateur photographer taking picutres of random stuff and you can pick and choose from among his many photos and try to make him guilty of anything -- did someone taking photos of New Orleans before Katrina make them cause the breach of the levees? This is absurd.

[Andrea]

The relevance of fire is that most serial killers have a fascination with fire. They fit into a certain profile. Usually, it starts out with arson or cruelty to animals, then escalates into rape and murder.

[remedial]

Hello????? Did anyone read Allen's post?? That
****** IS NOT A BEFORE PICTURE!! ******
It's an AFTER REBUILDING PICTURE!!!!

I somehow doubt he could have gotten in there & poured gasoline around or whatever in broad daylight while the place was filled with workers.

I like it when Richmonders chime in here & put all these hyperimaginative speculators in their place... ; )

[cosmicMojo]

I know, I've posted 3 times that the investigators conslusively determined the fire was started by a construction worker, seen by his co-workers dropping a lit cigarette into a trash chute, at which point they all saw a fire burst out.

And for the record, also conclusively established that the Loving's fire was starting by lightening.

[beth]

I kind of find it hard to belive that he started this fire- While I def. think that he has something to do with Taylor's dissaperence, we cant start blaming him for every crime that happens in Richmond-

He seems kind of like a loser to me- "Get a job" is the first thing I would have to say to him- Seems like from what I researched, is that he stayed up all night, skateboarded and went on the computer frequently- Must be nice to have no responsibilites and just have govt money rolling on in! 2nd thing I would have to say is "grow up" - isnt it kind of sad that a 38 yr old is hanging out with teenagers???

As for the Sept 18th post- "sounds like a serial killer is loose- whats wrong with this town"... Crime happens everywhere- Richmond is a beautiful city with lots of history...If all of the sudden there was a rash of missing VCU skateboarders and all of their license plates had been changed- well maybe... but come on!

In addition, I would like to add a comment- I think all of the bad press that VCU has been getting is really sad- They have done everything in their power to help Taylor and her family... Lots of people seem to act like VCU should be at fault- VCU has good security- When we attend university, we are supposed to be adults- VCU cannot babysit every single student that they have- and they cant be held responsible for things that do not happen in their buildings- VCU is an urban atmosphere- so even if Taylor dissapeared from the sidewalk in front of her dorm, I dont know if it is considered the campus- it is a public city street.

I am sorry she is gone- and will hope for the best.

[justinhate]

actually if you look at the before pic it was apparently taken well before march of 2004 because the tree on the left still has its leaves. Which means it was probably taken some time before november of 2003. The fire was in march of 2004. Just sayin.

[ms tricky]

this is not just about her, this is about all the gurl who is using the internet.
the technology should be used for good thing.

I am sorry for Tayler, I just wanna know the truth.

your articles is amazing, details are great.