Arson ruled in Cleveland, Tenn., gas station fire

Cleveland authorities investigate a fatal fire Tuesday at a BP gas station near Paul Huff Parkway and Interstate 75 in Cleveland, Tenn. Staff Photo by Beth Burger

Police in Cleveland, Tenn., say the Tuesday morning fire at a BP gas station is arson after an employee of the store torched the business and chose not to leave, according to a news release.

Randy Lee Hammontree, of Cleveland, died of smoke inhalation, according to a medical examiner’s report, Cleveland Police Department Officer Evie West said in a statement.

Evidence collected at the scene, along with footage from the store’s surveillance system, showed Hammontree was alone inside the business at 942 Paul Huff Parkway when the blaze started, according to police.

The video shows Hammontree deliberately setting the fire in the center of the store, authorities said.

Police and Cleveland Fire Department firefighters responded to the convenience store just before 5 a.m. Tuesday after it already was engulfed in flames.