Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 23, 1990 TAG: 9005230667
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: DANIEL HOWES and NEAL THOMPSON NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The 50-year-old house, in which hay was being stored at the time of the fire, sat on a 500-acre tract that had been given to Tech two years ago by the state hospital there, officials said Tuesday.
Before actually acquiring the property, the animal science department submitted an application in May 1988 for the house to be demolished, officials said, citing the caved-in roof and other possible hazards to employees.
Almost a year later, Tech architects filed a report describing the extent of disrepair and providing photographs and a map of the house and land in Roanoke County.
But a title search on the property - required of all state buildings proposed for demolition - and an attempt to acquire more nearby property slowed the demolition process. Regulations require a clear title before the request can be pushed through the state demolition process, which includes a mandatory architectural review.
It was at that point, one university official said, that several Tech employees, "frustrated with the pace of things," may have decided to sidestep the bureaucratic process and burn the building.
"During an investigative stage, the university makes a policy of not releasing names of those potentially involved," said Darrel Martin, a Tech spokesman.
The Roanoke County Fire Marshal's office initially investigated the fire and "determined the cause was questionable," said Capt. Mark Light of the county Fire Department. Because the house was owned by Tech, the case was turned over to state police.
State and Tech police acknowledged that they are investigating the fire, but because the probe is ongoing and no charges have been filed, both departments are keeping quiet about details of the case.
"We are conducting an investigation into a building that was owned by Tech that was burned," said state police Special Agent J.T. Oliver. "But I can't confirm or deny anybody's involvement until the investigation is nearer to complete."
Tech Police Chief Mike Jones said one of his investigators also was working on the case with state police. But he would not say who was being investigated or whether arson was suspected.
Officials said that the two-story frame house had been insured for $12,000, but that cleanup from the fire cost $28,000 - leaving a $16,000 deficit for the university to absorb. In their report last year, Tech architects estimated the house was worth $12,200 and that it would cost $65,000 to renovate it.
by CNB