LOCKPORT, N.Y. -- Last month's massive fire at High Tread International in Lockport was arson, according to city leaders, who say the investigation into the fire at the tire shredding factory is now complete.
The mayor says she is not releasing any other information because of the age of the people involved.
The body of 14-year-old Joseph Phillips was found in the rubble days after the fire. City leaders do say they support the factory owner's plans to rebuild with some changes.
"Does he want to house that crushed rubber in buildings, does he want to put it outside, what kind of fire suppression system? There's going to be new building codes that he has to work within, so I think there's a lot of work to be done," said David Wohleben, common council president.
Wohleben says any new factory would need to be properly secured to make sure no unauthorized people get in.