October 20, 2009
Purdue police, fire departments investigate Elliott Hall fires as arson
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Purdue police have released a composite image of a man seen running from the building after the fires occurred. He is described as white with blond, curly hair, about 20 years old, approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighing about 170 pounds. He was wearing a light tan jacket with waist straps and a vertical seam in the back, a black T-shirt, and blue jeans.
The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m. Approximately 900 students taking an exam in the building were evacuated as firefighters quickly extinguished two separate small fires in the basement – one in a band locker room and the other in a hallway, said Purdue fire Chief Kevin Ply. Smoke was cleared from the building, making it possible for students to reenter at about 9:30 p.m. to gather their personal belongings.
The fire caused light damage to a room in which instruments are stored and some damage around a bulletin board in a hallway, said Purdue police Chief John Cox.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Purdue Police Department at 765-494-8221, the department's anonymous tip line at 765-496-3784 or the WeTip anonymous hotline at 1-800-782-7463.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu
Kevin Ply, 765-494-6919, kmply@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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