11 news reporter will nelson is live at the scene. he has more on exactly what investigators have discovered. to go about building at 400 port east baltimore street is boarded up. -- >> that building at 404 east baltimore street is boarded up. at this point it will only tell us that it was incendiary in nature. that means it was set by someone, but it does not mean that this was a case of arson. >> without confusing the public, this classification at the present time does not necessarily mean that we are dealing with a crime of arson. the classification of incendiary was that there was human involvement. >> with the weekend have joint long investigation by the aft

and baltimore city fire and police department completes, it is now shifting to be determined whether the fire was set on purpose or by accident. the massive fire did so much damage to the building that it took investigators two days to make a safe enough for investigators to go inside. they relied on more than 60 special agents to question witnesses, which they say were key to solving the cause. >> it is our intent to continue the investigation and come up with the th pick more answers. >> officials would not reveal how the fire started or if some sort of an accelerant was used. only saying that it did start baltimore street. >> this investigation is still

ongoing, and i mentioned no stone being unturned. we will continue to very aggressively alongside our partners from the baltimore city police department in maryland state fire office we will continue this investigation. >> the atf pix tells us that preliminary numbers says $3 million in damages was caused by the fire. they are asking anyone with information on this fire to call bartz in ha line at1-88-atf- fire. there is a $5,000 reward leading to a resolution in this case. >> the red cross is continuing to help those affected by yesterday's deadly fire in east baltimore. a memorial is still growing outside the house on homewood

avenue. the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. >> as for the weather, it continues to cause problems across the country. here at home we could soon be dealing with the nets shot of winter. we will get the latest on that from our chief meteorologist. >> you can see there is a winter weather advisory. southern maryland on the weatcluster and short. down there that may have at three or 4 inch snowfall by tomorrow evening. north of there a couple of inches possible. let's check radar. there is nothing across the baltimore area right now. what we're really keeping our eye on is the storm system with

this area of low pressure. this will attract rapidly east. the problem is it could become a problem during tomorrow evening's rush hour. we will detail that and check on the potential for another weekend storm coming up in a few minutes. >> carbon monoxide been blamed for to dust for people in baltimore county last weekend. officials are reminding that everyone should check the signs of carbon monoxide in their home. >> carbon monoxide is called the silent killer. in weather like this carbon monoxide poisoning is much more likely. using as dove as a source of heat. every year lots of people put themselves in danger by using their oven and stove top to stay warm. >> there is no lens for the carbon monoxide to escape. -- no vent or the carpet monoxide to escape. they're putting their family in

jeopardy by trying to warm the whole house with their burner. carl smith isn't achieving business. he says having george pernice inspected every year it is important to prevent carbon monoxide problems. do not forget the chimney. >> if this was connected, it would have the park and toxic go from house to house because there is no way for the furnace to breed. >> carbon monoxide can be a danger in any home. firefighters responded to a call for kirk of monoxide detectors going off here. -- firefighters responded to a call for carbon monoxide detectors going off. >> they enter the dwelling and were quickly overcome by some

type of unknown substance. >> tragically this weekend' two people lost their lives because of carbon monoxide poisoning. >> if you developed any symptoms, headache, dizziness, get out of the house as quickly as possible and contact us via 911. >> new at 6:00 tonight, there are more signs that maryland's economy is slowly rebounding. tax and other revenues are down, but not as much as expected. dave collins has been crunching the numbers for us. he joins us live from annapolis on how this may impact >> there is universal agreement that the worst is over, however, a full recovery is said to be to years awwo years away. >> experts warn maryland's

economy remains sluggish. >> as pleased as i am with today's report, i still continue to be concerned about the lingering effects of the recession. it is a long-road to full recovery. >> increase revenues from his income and corporate revenues are set to be a stabilizing factor. >> the revenue trends are favorable. employment is increasing. i think we can expect to seek a general fund revenue growth for the first time in three years. >> authorities say it is spending at 2.7%. >> in terms of the state budget in state revenue, there are still at least two years.

>> governor o'malley warns that the budget proposed next year will be so painful to except to those to step in. the governor would not say he would sign those bills if they landed on his desk. >> these are certainly going to be tough days. we're going to see the size of our government be reduced even further than has already been. we will see cuts to a lot of priorities that and past years we were able to hold harmless. >> the government is not disclosing details. fayed official says there is growing interest in the governor's buyout proposal. -- state officials say there is a growing interest in the governor's buyout proposal. >> here is something else for you. according to newly released data, our state is still the

lobbyists around. that comes despite having a higher suburban poverty level than a decade ago. among the other findings, the median household income was nearly $70,000, well above the natural -- the national average of 51,000. 50, still more to come on wbal news at 6:00. -- >> still more to come on wbal tv 11 is a 6:00. >> i am nikole killion in washington where the president's tax deal just cleared another major hurdle on capitol hill. details ahead. >> a couple chances for snow over the next couple of days in maryland. we will check out the seven-day forecast. temperatures dropping into the 20's. the winds are

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alert,ght's education baltimore county superintendent is already starting to lobby lawmakers less than a month before the start of the general assembly. he invited members of the county delegation to baltimore county for a series of meetings. the superintendent says he just wants to make sure both sides deliver the same message and annapolis. the session starts on january 11. and in the nation's capitol tonight, you could call it a tax triumph for the president. take of the senate approved a sweeping package that would prevent a tax hike for millions of americans next year. -- >> the senate approved a sweeping package that would prevent a tax hike for millions of americans next year. >> the motion is agreed to. >> by a vote of 81 to 19 they

overwhelmingly passed the decision to pass the tax cuts. >> whether you agree, everyone should understand this is one of the major accomplishments of any congress. >> the bill would save millions of americans from facing higher taxes. it also includes a cut in payroll taxes, tax breaks for individuals and businesses and extended jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. at the white house as an appraised the vote. -- at the white house, the senate praised the vote -- t he praised the vote. >> many lawmakers on both sides of idle are still not happy with it. -- both sides of the aisle are still not happy with it.

despite opposition, there is little the house can do to hold it up. >> there is virtually nothing the democrats can do to stop it, unless they're willing to let all american taxes go up. >> the house is scheduled to vote on the tax bill tomorrow. in washington, nikole killion, wbal to be 11 is. -- wbal tv-11 news. >> an audit found a contractor for the past found checks totaling more than $5 million. primarily payments on customer accounts. however, they were not recorded immediately. audit find a maryland transportation authority did not require an independent review. the purpose of an audit is to ensure the system is a chair and functioning properly. in response, they say they are

currently developing procedures to make sure cash receipts are verified. and recent independent audit of fiscal year 2010 revealed no significant problems with contractors collection system. >> now your 11 forecast wis toth tom tasselmeyer. >> it continues to be called. and all the way to the gulf coast where those this morning were in the 30's again. " 20's in atlanta. atlanta.'s in 13 below zero at international falls. quite frigid up that way. the chill extends from new england into the carolinas. 15 in charlotte north carolina.

19 this morning at the airport. probably a little bit colder than that tomorrow morning. the difference is the winds will be lighter. we do not have to worry about windchill. the temperature will be cold enough. the satellite imagery showing the clearing skies as high pressure moves on in. only 10 degrees at oakland's. seventeen not prosper. in the 20's and below freezing all the way down to chris jbeil. it will be another cold night. -- in the 20's and below freezing all the way down to christfield. a winter weather advisory for somerset counties in the southern sections of the state. this gives you an indication that the system tracking through here tomorrow is expected to stay to the south. as this moves on through, this

low pressure in eastern canada and the strong windy cold conditions will diminish. the system will track almost due east, moving across the va/north carolina border tomorrow evening. we should be on the northern fringe of light snow. it looks like it will develop during the middle part of the day tomorrow. this is a view at 9:00 tomorrow morning. there may be a hint of sun early in the morning. as we work our way towards the lunch hour, the snow down and virginia will start to press towards baltimore. it will be iny baltimore. by the evening rush hour, it looks like light snow. on the edges where you will get

the higher snow amounts. for our region that looks like an inch or two. tomorrow evening of cold day. light winds out of the south. you might get a three or 4 inch snowfall as you head down into southern maryland. it will really depend on the track of the storm. 30 tomorrow. 50% chance of light snow. the weekend storm. yesterday was a higher chance. the threat is still there from late saturday evening into sunday. we will of colder weather next week. >> now 11 sports. >> there is a full-contact practice. and rest takes precedence. a light workout today without pads.

david needs a rest after his award-winning effort in houston. he said a team record with the 103 yard touchdown. the awards earned a special teams player of the week. >> anytime undone that has access and is out there and makes plays -- he has made place on kickoff plays. >> the programming on tonight. the game plan is 7:30. it will be air at midnight. watch to see how you can win tickets to raven's games. >> the coach suspended and fined after stripping the dolphins' team special player. he begged forgiveness for his actions and said he acted alone. playerseo suggested that' and coaches were intentionally

lined up to work as the unit. bet he never works for the jets or anyone else in the lead again. -- anyone else in the league again. smith traded to the los angeles lakers. he was attracted to l.a. because it reduces the salary cap and there is a veteran presence. according to numerous reports, either will prove a significant upgrade. nothing like what the phillies accomplished today. cliff lee signed his contract for $120 million. >> i never held any grudges for

being traded. i understand it is business and things like that happen, but from the moment i got here, i knew it was something that was special. something that i enjoyed. i was not sure if i would get another opportunity to come back or not some of the way things played out i got the opportunity. here i am. >> the police hold an incredible hand with -- the phillies have an incredible hand with four aces.

>> or is a look at what we're working on tonight. we will continue to follow the news report earlier today. a massive fire on the block was not accidental but the officials are not saying it was arson. the house voted on the controversial do not ask, do not tell legislation. we will have details and

>> will find out if the cold snap will still gripped us.

-- we will find that if the cold snap will still get us. to go through the afternoon into the evening, maybe a 3 to 4 inch snow in southern maryland. clears out briefly before another snowstorm chance. the threat is pingree dependent on the track of the snow. some wind and snow could fall, especially down toward the coastal areas. that leaves us with more chilly weather for next week. we have to watch this one. >> enough to make the new orleans saints nervous. >> thank you for joining us. and >> we will see you back here tonight at 11:00. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--