Animal rights group takes credit for Reno fire

Animal rights activists have claimed responsibility for a fire that gutted the Reno business office of a company that ships monkeys from China for scientific research in the United States and elsewhere. Reno police and fire officials began investigating the arson claim by the Animal Liberation Front after The Associated Press sought comment about an e-mail the group circulated to media outlets and posted on a Web site. "At this point, we are looking at it as a lead," Reno police spokesman Steve Frady said Wednesday. "There is evidence of arson. "At this point, there is no physical evidence to link this with the group claiming responsibility." No one was injured in the fire about 4 a.m. May 18 that caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to offices of Scientific Resources International Inc. southwest of downtown Reno, Frady said. He said 33 firefighters were sent to the blaze...AP