SBU dorm fire may have been intentional

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Investigators in the southern tier now believe a weekend fire at a St. Bonaventure University dorm may have been intentionally set.

Just after 6 a.m. Sunday morning, a fire ignited in a first-floor lounge at St. Bonaventure University's Devereaux Hall dormitory. Almost simultaneously, smoke started emanating from a second lounge.

Vice-Provost Rick Trietley said, "It appears something was placed in the microwave ovens. The microwaves were started, which caused a fire in one lounge and smoke to form in a second."

Three-hundred students had to be evacuated from Devereaux Hall, while firefighters doused the flames. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office is now investigating.

"The intent of those fires is still under investigation; whether they were reckless acts, acts of criminal mischief, or an attempt at arson," Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb said.

Deputies have interviewed over 100 people, most of them students. Although Sheriff Whitcomb won't say exactly what was in the microwaves or what happened to start the fires, he is "very optimistic," based on the information collected, that criminal charges will be brought successfully.

He stated, "These were intentional, deliberate acts perpetrated by somebody. And our intent is to locate that person or persons and hold them responsible."

If the person who set the fires is a student, he or she could face disciplinary action on-campus as well.

"We also have a Student Code of Conduct, which allows us to file judicial charges. And within our Student Code of Conduct, we do have sanctions that range from suspension or expulsion. So all those options would be on the table," Trietley explained.

He added, "This is very disappointing. We're quite upset that this occurred on our campus."