Suspicious fire destroys pole vault pits and more in Indiana

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/9673447/detail.html

Suspicious' Fire Damages High School Building

POSTED: 6:37 am EDT August 14, 2006
UPDATED: 12:52 pm EDT August 14, 2006
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INDIANAPOLIS -- Investigators are trying to determine how a fire started on North Central High School's campus late Sunday night.
Fire officials believe the fire, which damaged a building where thousands of dollars worth of athletic equipment was stored, was intentionally set.

The fire won't affect the high school football season for the school. Track and lacrosse gear was damaged in the fire.
Jerseys and helmets for hundreds of children who signed up for youth football in Washington Township this fall were also damaged, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.
Firefighters were called to the school just before 11:30 p.m. The fire, which began in some mats outside the building, spread inside shortly after it began.
Pole vault mats, which cost $13,000 each, were destroyed. Parents came to the school Monday morning to get a closer look at the damage.
The Washington Township youth football league might be able to salvage some of the gear.
"It obviously gives us some more work to do this week. We're going to have to get all of this stuff cleaned," said Scott Hiland of the football league. "We've got some good parents and the school is very cooperative with us."
School officials said they are working with investigators to try to find those responsible for setting the blaze.
"Witnesses from one of our ladder companies say they did see several juveniles in the area on their arrival," said Washington Township assistant fire Chief Howard Marer.
Washington Township superintendent James Mervilde said there will be dire consequences for any student found to have been involved in the fire.
"Certain acts that are done are both matters that deal with police and also deal with school discipline, and we'd have to go from there," Mervilde said.
Police and school officials are also checking to see if surveillance cameras might have caught anything.
Investigators asked anyone with information to call the Washington Township Fire Department at 317-252-5209.
Possible charges against anyone believed to be responsible could be harsher because a firefighter was also slightly injured after falling off the roof while battling the blaze.

[SlickVT]

Lets all thank heaven that the football season is not affected. It was only track equipment... whew.