Fire marshal rules arson at W&J gymnasium
A fire at the construction site of Washington & Jefferson College’s James David Ross Family Recreation Center, adjacent to Henry Memorial Gymnasium, was ruled arson by a state police fire marshal.
The fire broke out after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the gym at 140 E. Chestnut St., which is undergoing an expansion. Washington police said wood, debris and insulation found at the source of the fire raised suspicion.
“Two pallets worth of building material … was lit on fire in the center of the floor,” said Washington fire Chief Linn Brookman.
Brookman said multiple people were probably involved. He believes they gained access to the site through a fence surrounding the facility.
Police said spray painting was found on the floor and a can of paint was found in a back room. The report indicates W&J police have possible suspects in mind.
Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 30 minutes.
“But the real problem is the building is so big, it was filled with smoke from floor to ceiling,” Brookman said. “It took until 1:30 in the afternoon to get the smoke out of there.”
W&J media relations manager Erin Jones said no one was injured. The fire did not impact the college’s use of Henry Memorial Gymnasium, she said.