OXNARD : Official Says Burglars May Have Set Blaze

An early-morning fire in Oxnard on Saturday burned the offices of Western Farms Chemical Co., causing an estimated $125,000 in damages, Oxnard Fire Department officials said.

The blaze, which began about 4:30 a.m. in the company offices at 1015 W. Wooley Road, could have been arson, Battalion Chief Terry McAnally said.

“It looks like the fire started in the computer room,” McAnally said, adding that the building may have been burglarized and then set on fire to cover up the crime. Western Farms sells fertilizers and pesticides to farmers, McAnally said, adding that no chemicals were involved in this fire.

“We’re very happy it didn’t involve any pesticides,” McAnally said.

The company offices were badly damaged but not destroyed, McAnally said. The fire caused an estimated $75,000 in damage to the structure and $50,000 to the contents of the offices.