Rain hampering probe of fire at home of Cowboys’ McClain

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Rainy weather slowed down investigators Wednesday as they probed a fire that burned the Alabama mansion of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain.

Investigators were back at the scene of the fire at Lake Tuscaloosa, but a spokesman said rain was making the search for clues more difficult.

“This is like finding a needle in a haystack,” said Lt. Andy Norris of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The Cowboys said McClain, 25, missed practice because he was in Alabama handling issues related to the blaze.

Sheriff’s officials and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are trying to determine what caused a fire that gutted McClain’s home north of Tuscaloosa.

The house was on the market with a price of $1.5 million when it burned.

Authorities said a witness reported seeing a speeding car leaving the area around the time the blaze began Monday night, but Norris said investigators weren’t able to get a description of the vehicle.

Norris said suspicions were also raised because the house was high-priced and vacant.

McClain lived there during the offseason.