Galleria Fire Details Could Be Sealed Under Gag Order

ROSEVILLE, Calif. (CBS13) -- Key information regarding the response of police and fire officials to the standoff and fire that caused millions of dollars in damage to the Roseville Galleria mall may be sealed by request of the county prosecutor.

The City of Roseville is already muzzling itself and delaying its response to critical questions that were set to be revealed this week, even though a judge has not ruled on the county district attorney's motion.

Civil rights attorney Jeffrey Kravitz said the restriction is "delaying people's right to know" what happened in the hours leading up to the destructive blaze.

Some of the key questions residents have been asking include:

-Why did city police and fire departments turn off the mall sprinklers before the fire was completely out?
-Did that decision lead to most of the estimated $55 million in damage?
-Were concerns that arson suspect Alexander Piggee possessed explosives warranted?

"It seems to me that, based on the prior comments of the city, that a mistake may have been made here, and so they may be trying to delay the impact of that," Kravitz said.

The decision to delay the report that may have offered details on the incident came in response to a gag order motion filed by the Placer County district attorney in the criminal case against Piggee, citing concerns over excessive publicity.

The city of Roseville released a statement, saying, "We support the District Attorney's efforts and therefore will withhold further comment and release of documents on the case pending the courts ruling."

The attorney for Alexander Piggee will reportedly be fighting the gag order motion. A judge will rule on the issue later this month.