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Animal Rights Group Claims Credit For Harris Farms Arson

COALINGA, Fresno County (CBS / AP) -- Authorities in Central California are looking into animal rights activists' claims that they caused the fire that destroyed 14 big-rig tractors and several trailers at the state's biggest beef processor.

Activists claimed responsibility for the fire at Harris Farms in an email released by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. The email includes a detailed description of the containers of accelerant and kerosene-soaked rope activists claim they used to set the blaze.

Fresno County sheriff's spokesman Chris Curtice said Tuesday that investigators are looking into the claim, among several other leads.

Investigators say the arson fire started around 4 a.m. Sunday at Harris Farms' Coalinga property.

Harris Farms spokesman Mike Casey said the company has not received recent threats from animal rights activists.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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