A series of fires in Anderson and Letts halls early Friday morning are currently under investigation for arson, according to Julie Weber, executive director of Housing and Dining Programs.
Five fires were set in trash cans in bathrooms and laundry rooms through the buildings, and evidence of attempted fires - which did not ignite - were found in five additional areas, and included posters on some residence-hall doors. The fire on the sixth floor bathroom of Anderson, the most destructive of the fires, was the last to be discovered around 5:30 a.m.
Sprinklers caused damage in more than a dozen student rooms on the fourth, fifth and six floors of Anderson and several thousand dollars worth of damage to the telecommunications room in the basement of Letts, Weber said.
Weber said that the Metropolitan Police Department is currently following a couple leads in the investigation.
"I can't even hazard a guess as why someone would do something this destructive, this disruptive and this dangerous," Weber said, who believes it was a student. Nothing like this has happened at the University before, she said.
In an attempt to prevent copycat fires, Public Safety as well as Housing and Dining staff made rounds through the residence halls from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. over the weekend. R.A.s, desk receptionists and select members of the student body were included in the groups, according to Weber.
Weber said that they have not decided whether to continue the rounds, as it would put considerable pressure on the mostly student-based Residence Hall staff over finals.
Students with damaged property should contact their resident director as well as their insurance company. Housing and Dining Programs recommends keeping all damaged property, making a list of damages and keeping all receipts and records documenting related expenses.
Students with any information are asked to call (202) 885-CLUE.
