Arson likely in Wash. State campus fires

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PULLMAN, Wash., May 27 (UPI) -- Arson investigators, including a fuel-sniffing dog, were dispatched to Washington State University to look into a pair of suspicious fires, firefighters said.

Pullman Fire Chief Scott LaVielle said Saturday's pre-dawn fire and a similar blaze Tuesday burned down two community buildings on the campus.

"We have a [Bureau of] Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms dog en route," LaVielle told KIRO-TV, Seattle. "It's an arson accelerant dog. The reason why, obviously, is because of the pattern of buildings, which are alike, and because of how quickly these fires have progressed prior to our arrival."

Both buildings were fully engulfed when fire units arrived. The buildings were used by residents of nearby student apartment complexes and were unoccupied at the time, KIRO said.

Firefighters and campus police were putting out the word to WSU students to be on alert and make sure they have working smoke detectors and an evacuation plan for their homes.