October 26, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100073) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@ci.mobile.al.us ARSON ATTEMPT FAILS AT BISHOP STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Students in a 2nd floor classroom smelled smoke and reported it to office personnel at Bishop State Community College Central Campus, located on Dr. Martin Luther King Avenue, on Thursday, October 26, 2000. The call was received by Mobile Fire Rescue Department at approximately 1:25 p.m. Campus Security went to investigate and discovered person or persons attempted to set a fire in room 223 on the second floor. Mobile Fire Investigators discovered that person or persons apparently broke into a cabinet in the southwest corner of the classroom and stole some medical goods used in the classroom. Then they apparently poured a flammable substance on the floor and chair and lit it. The fire went out on it's own for lack of combustibles to burn. The only damage was to the seat of a plastic chair and plastic curtains in a nearby window. Damage is estimated at approximately $300.00. No injuries were reported. Charges would be Arson 1st because it was an occupied building. Anyone with information should contact the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department's Bureau of Fire Prevention at 208-7484 or Crimestoppers at 208-7000. ###