Lil' Opry was operating with no permit

NASHVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - 24-Hour News 8 has learned the co-owners of The Little Nashville Opry that was destroyed by fire last weekend were operating the business with an expired entertainment permit.

According to Indiana Homeland Security spokesperson Rachel Meyer, the Opry's entertainment permit expired on December 31, 2008 and it was never renewed. No penalty has been issued as of yet.

Meyer said there are fees that the Brown County prosecutor office as well as the State Fire Marshal’s Office can charge.

ATF agents sifting through Opry debris

On Thursday, ATF agents began sifting through debris at The Little Nashville Opry in Brown County.

The investigation to determine the cause of the fire involves several agencies including the ATF, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and local law enforcement and fire agencies.

Investigators started the day by getting an aerial view of the complex. The Columbus Township Fire Department provided a ladder truck. ATF agents got in the bucket and with the ladder raised, they took pictures of the burned out buildings.

Investigators also brought in an arson dog to go through the wreckage. Bailey, a black labrador, is trained to detect accelerants that may be used to start a fire.

Just after 10 a.m. Thursday a team of 18 ATF agents finally entered the building and began their ground investigation.

They are members of the National Response Team. Another 10 investigators from the Indianapolis ATF Office are also working on the investigation.

“They have a few people who are doing the interviews. A couple of people taking the photographs, others will go into the building. Everyone has there responsibilities, that’s how they are taking it right now,” said Rachel Meyer of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

For now the cause of the fire is undetermined.

Opry co-owners no strangers to fire

A 24-Hour News 8 investigation into the owners of the Little Nashville Opry uncovered several details that investigators will be looking into. First, the co-owners owed $68,000 in back taxes. Secondly, the co-owners are no strangers to fire.

24-Hour News 8 found out fire destroyed two other properties owned by one of the owners, Esther Hamilton. The cause of both fires was undetermined.

Then Morgan County investigators told 24-Hour News 8 co-owner of the Opry, Jim Bowyer, lost his home in Morgan County twice to fire.