Molotov cocktail thrown at apartment door

Published 7:24 pm Monday, April 25, 2011

A Molotov cocktail, thrown at a Rolling Oaks apartment door, was extinguished overnight Sunday before it could spread beyond the unit’s entrance.

Clanton Police and Fire departments responded to the call shortly after midnight. An alert neighbor heard crackling sounds and was able to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, according to Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell.

When they arrived, firefighters put out all the flames, which had spread into the door casing, Stilwell said.

The fire was contained just to the area around the front door, according to authorities. The apartment’s sole tenant wasn’t at home at the time, and no one was injured.

The apartment at which the incendiary device was thrown was in Building E, which houses eight different apartment units, Stilwell said.

Police and city fire marshals continue to investigate the fire, as well as why that particular apartment was targeted.

Investigators have recovered the bottle they think was used and believe the fire was spread using some kind of oil-based accelerant.

Sgt. Camera Bates and Cpl. Dewayne Driver are handling the case for Clanton PD; they are also fire marshals with the Clanton Fire Department and certified Fire Investigators, Stilwell said.