Report On Galleria Fire Confirms Sprinklers Were Turned Off

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) - A day after a Placer County judge denied a gag order sealing a key report, the city of Roseville has released the report detailing the emergency response to the Roseville Galleria fire confirming the mall's sprinkler system was shut off for more than an hour.

While the report confirms the mall's sprinkler system in the area of the fire was turned off, it does not confirm who issued the order or why.

Roseville Galleria Arson After-Action Report

According to the report, the sprinkler system was shut off by a Galleria maintenance worker who said the "police department" told him to do so. A UPS worker also says he told maintenance workers that police said to turn off the sprinklers, but he could not identify who gave the order.

Police say they did not give the order to turn off the sprinklers.

The sprinklers remained off for 71 minutes before emergency crews realized the situation and were able to turn them back on.

Roseville Galleria Arson Timeline

After the suspect, Alexander Piggee, was taken into custody at about 12:11 p.m., fire crews still were not allowed inside to the fight the blaze because of a possible explosive device inside the mall.

Police, with the assistance of firefighters, then deployed robots to try and locate and neutralize the device.  During this time the report states the "fire had grown immensely in the attic above the Game Stop."

Thick smoke and water made obscured the robots' camera lens making it impossible to navigate.  At 1:11 p.m., police and fire crews actually discussed turning the sprinklers off again to clear the way for the robot, but decided against it.

The fire then escalated drastically and by 3:14 p.m.; the roof collapsed near the Game Stop.  Firefighters could only fight the fire from outside finally containing the blaze by 6 p.m.

The Placer County District Attorney had requested the gag order in the criminal case against suspect Piggee, citing concerns over excessive publicity.