22 fires set following bin Laden’s death in Morgantown, West Virginia

By John Terry

A total of 22 intentionally set fires took place around Morgantown Sunday night and early Monday morning, as West Virginia University students took a break from the imposing finals week to celebrate Osama bin Laden’s death.

The fires began at 11:42 p.m., Sunday, according to Morgantown Fire Department Chief Mark Caravasos.

Celebrations could be heard throughout city streets early Monday morning, Hundreds of students stood near burning couches, mattresses and trash on fire near campus late Sunday night and into the early morning hours on Monday following President Barack Obama’s speech detailing the Al Qaida leader’s demise.

Caravasos said at times firefighters were delayed to certain areas of the city due to large crowds of people celebrating in the streets. Several fires caused minor damage to the asphalt on the roads, he said.

WVU spokeswoman Becky Lofstead said that most of the fires occurred in the areas surrounding the campus.

“(The first responders) did their jobs admirably considering the spontaneity of the news,” she said. “They do a great job responding to those situations.”

The majority of fires occurred in the Sunnyside neighborhood and High Street areas of Morgantown. Hundreds of students chanted and cheered near the intersection of High and Willey Streets early Monday morning for hours.

“People were feeling very patriotic last night and responding to the moment,” Lofstead said. “For the most part, students were not participating in destructive activity. It’s usually a small group of participants that partake in (destructive activity).”

University Police Chief Bob Roberts said University Police made two arrests on alcohol-related charges. An underage, intoxicated male hit the window of a University police car as it drove by, while another intoxicated individual had “burning material” in his hand, Roberts said.

“I understand why people are celebrating; it’s been almost 11 years,” he said. “People were compliant and cooperative. We had no issues really.”

Roberts also said the Morgantown City Police made no arrests last night.

Lofstead said the University was working in coordination with the Morgantown Police and Fire Departments to identify any students cited for setting fires or not cooperating with first responders. Photos and videos are being reviewed to identify any additional individuals.

“We will work to identify those students, and then they could be disciplined through the University judicial process,” Lofstead said. “They could also face additional consequences through the law.”

Interim Dean of Students Corey Farris said WVU should have everything it needs within the next few days to move forward with the judicial process on any students who were cited.

WVU will receive the police reports from either University Police or Morgantown Police. Once it gets that information, it will determine the type of student conduct allegations. Faculty, staff and students sit on the conduct panels and hear perspectives from all parties involved.

According to Farris, a punishment for an offense such as underage consumption would likely involve alcohol counseling, while destructive behavior such as a fire can result in suspension or expulsion from the school.

“Whether a student is celebrating because of a big win or the death of Osama bin Laden, I don’t know if it has any different effect on the punishment,” Farris said. “Students were celebrating and reacting.”

Read more here: http://www.thedaonline.com/22-fires-set-following-bin-laden-s-death-in-morgantown-1.2216204
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