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Cause of fire at inn remains unsolved By Chris Bristol The cause of a fire that destroyed the historic Carpenter Hill Inn more than a year ago has never been pinpointed. Which means the case has never been solved, at least not officially. Fire investigators think it was arson but can�t prove it, the insurance company says it was an accident but won�t pay for it, and the owner is suing the insurance company for $1.1 million � no buts about it. "I�m thinking maybe I better take a refresher course on how to act in court," joked Medford fire investigator Debi Bisbee, "because that�s where this thing is headed." Built in 1909 by Edward Carlton, an heir to the Western Union fortune, and designed by noted architect Frank Clark, the 5,700-square-foot home on Carpenter Hill between Medford and Phoenix once was considered one of the most significant historic places in the Rogue Valley. Teddy Roosevelt stayed there, as did actor Clark Gable. Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, who knew a little something about big houses, came later. Angela Caperna, 45, an interior decorator from Los Angeles, bought the place in 1991 and restored it as a bed-and-breakfast inn. It was on the market for $699,000 when it burned down on the night of Oct. 27, 1999. Caperna could not be reached for comment for this story. From the beginning, investigators said the fire seemed suspicious. Even though they said it probably started on the second floor, in an area where the housekeeper had working, they never officially ruled it an accident. Oregon State Police took over the case last year. Bisbee said it remains an open file. Caperna sued Safeco Insurance last summer for $1.1 million, alleging the company "has failed and refused to pay plaintiff the amounts due to be paid under the terms of said policy of insurance." The lawsuit, filed in Jackson County court, cites damages of $642,500 for the "dwelling" and another $481,875 for the antiques and other furnishings that the fire destroyed. In court papers, the insurance company has accused Caperna of not cooperating with its own investigation and refusing to submit to a pre-trial deposition. Altogether the company has asserted seven defense claims, including one in which Safeco warns that it reserves the right to additional defenses if evidence of "an intentional act by or on" Caperna�s behalf is discovered. Finally, the company has countersued Caperna�s friend and housekeeper, Debbie Tabor, accusing her of negligence for using a damaged extension cord that could have started the fire. Safeco couldn�t find Tabor and served her with notice of the suit by publishing the notice in the Mail Tribune. Bisbee said she spoke to Tabor just last week. She said Tabor was aware of the lawsuit and that Safeco was probably trying to bring her into it. "She told me it�s going to be real hard for them to serve her," Bisbee said, "because she�s been staying with friends, and when she wears out her welcome she moves on to another friend." Countersuing Tabor does not relieve the insurance company of responsibility for Caperna�s damages. However, it could recoup its losses if Tabor has money. Bisbee said she thinks Safeco�s lawyers are "playing head games" with Tabor in the hopes that Tabor has more information about the cause of the fire and will be so intimidated by the countersuit that she talks about it. "What else would they be doing?" Bisbee asked. "They�re still on the hook. They�re not going to get off it by suing her." A Portland lawyer who represents Safeco did not return a phone call Monday seeking comment. A trial date has not been set. Reach reporter Chris Bristol at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.