Charred wood from the back of attorney Joe Miklas' office building has been sent to a forensics laboratory in Tallahassee to determine whether an early morning fire at Mile Marker 88.8 was deliberately set.

The single-story structure across from the Plantation Key courthouse caught fire sometime before firefighters were dispatched at 12:59 a.m. Monday.

The 1940s-vintage wooden structure suffered fire, smoke and water damage to the back, where it abuts a driveway and a stand of trees just off the Old Overseas Highway.

"We didn't find any evidence of an electrical fire," said Capt. Terry Abel, an investigator for the Islamorada Fire Department.

Several sections of wood were taken to be examined for evidence of a fire accelerant.

"This is standard procedure in order to rule out or confirm that it was arson," said State Fire Marshal Detective Alex Galan of the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation. "We always try to pinpoint an area where it began and determine its cause."

Miklas, who was surveying the damage Monday morning, said he didn't think he would be targeted by an arsonist.

"We don't handle divorce cases. We take mostly real estate and probate cases," he said. "We'll know the cause in about a month, after the fire marshal's investigation."

The state office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Third Region, rents a small space in the Miklas building. Regional Counsel Joseph P. George Jr., whose name is on the door, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Miklas, who said he keeps office files on a home computer, indicated he could continue practicing law from his home until the offices are rebuilt and reopened.

sgibbs@keysnews.com