Lowe's is one of my favorite stores and I'm not going to stop shopping there. I'll be damned if I'll be intimidated by wackos of any kind, but I WILL be much more alert from now on when I go to Lowe's. You be too.

Monday October 4, 1999 07:26 AM

Authorities Investigating Fire at Lowe's Store

LEXINGTON, N.C. (AP) -- A small fire at a Lowe's home improvement store caused minor damage, according to authorities, who said it was unclear today whether it was related to three bombs placed recently at other chain locations.

Sunday evening's fire after closing at the Lexington Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse damaged a door in the building and was quickly contained. Employees still inside the building during the 7 p.m. fire were evacuated. No one was injured.

Two bombs exploded Sept. 22 at Lowe's stores in Asheboro and Salisbury, injuring three people, including one woman seriously. A third bomb was found last week at a Lowe's store in Concord. Investigators believe the same person or group is responsible for all three explosive devices.

After the fire, Lexington police contacted the State Bureau of Investigation and agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Agents began their investigation Sunday evening and were to continue today. An ATF spokesman in Charlotte could not be reached for comment this morning.

Police and State Bureau of Investigation agents said early today they had not yet determined if the fire was connected to the bombs.

``We're treating it as suspicious in nature,'' said Lexington Police Lt. Tad Kepley.

Officials with North Wilkesboro-based Lowe's have said they are taking extra security measures within their stores in the wake of the explosions. One of those measures over the weekend included posting workers at the front doors greeting customers, the News & Record of Greensboro reported today.

Investigators have confirmed that police are investigating any link between the Asheboro blast and an accident at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord on May 1 that killed three spectators and injured eight.

Lowe's is the corporate sponsor of the track, which is owned by Concord-based Speedway Motorsports Inc. The speedway reported a bomb threat last week on the same day of the discovery of the device in the Concord store.

The speedway is hosting NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Grand National races this weekend.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 04, 1999

Answers

Did I miss something? Who's pissed off at Lowes?

It's a mammoth hardware store. Everyone shops there. Who's angry at them, & why?

-- this is (just@damned.strange), October 04, 1999.

Sounds like a probable disgruntled ex-employee problem...any speculation about that in NC, Old Git?

-- Donna (moment@pacbell.net), October 04, 1999.

Someday soon there will be "greeters" at the openings of large stores ... walk thru the entrance with the metal/drug/explosive detector, please. It's gone too far, gotten ridiculous when a person becomes scared to shop, and with good reason.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), October 04, 1999.

Current official speculation is that someone (or several someones) think the safety precautions at the track were insufficient, hence caused death and injury, and blame Lowe's, as the sponsoring entity, for that.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 04, 1999.

And the relevance to Y2K issues is?????????

-- ??? (???@???.???), October 04, 1999.

I Think it is related to y2k because so many people use Lowe's as a source for their supplies.

There could be more reasons, but that one is enough for me.

Thanks for the info. Old Git.

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), October 04, 1999.

Why is this Y2K-related? How many people would like to go Y2K shopping if they thought they were going to be blown up? As someone pointed out, lots of people *are* doing their Y2K shopping at Lowes. It could impact some people's shopping plans and ultimate Y2K readiness.

Now is this happening *because* of Y2K? I seriously doubt it. Lowes is based in the Charlotte, NC area and these explosions are most likely the work of a disgruntled, former employee who is trying to make their point to company management.

And who knows how much of the supplies the enterprising bomber has purchased from the "do it yourself center".

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), October 04, 1999.

Lowe's is frequently mentioned on this forum. I know there are people like me who do a lot of Y2K-related shopping at Lowe's (shelving, rechargeable batteries, garden stuff and miscellaneous stash--masking tape, epoxy putty, rustproofer, sandpaper, nails, screws, glue, tarps, on and on). In addition, I imagine I'm not the only one who's noticed various items are made overseas, like the replacement light fixtures I got for the den, motion-sensitive light for the backyard and a couple of solar pathway lights. I thought I'd buy them now, rather than wait until next year when they might not be so cheap or even available. I should think others have had the same thought.

I guess if you live in an apartment you don't need to go to Lowe's and won't need to be alert to a possible bomb attack. Such attacks may not be confined to NC, by the way. Anyone with this kind of mindset is likely to travel to any Lowe's to plant a bomb.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 04, 1999.

I appreciate this info as I live in VA (next state over to NC) and I WAS planning on going to Lowe's this Friday to buy Y2K supplies. I may rethink this or be super vigilent. Thanks for the info!

-- Debi (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), October 04, 1999.

Screw that asshole known as ???.

The thread was posted as OT, and if ??? cannot read ??? should be back in school learning how. And if ??? doesn't like it, tough shit on ???.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), October 04, 1999.