WARREN Fire at JFK High dugout was set, officials believe

The investigation is pointing to a school rivalry.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Fire that destroyed a baseball field dugout at John F. Kennedy High School has been ruled intentional by fire officials.
"Investigators have been out all day talking to people at Kennedy and Howland," said Fire Chief Ken Nussle.
The Friday football game between the two schools and the words "Howland Rules" scrawled in dirt in front of the dugout led investigators to the schools.
"That's the way we're looking right now, but we don't have tunnel vision on it," Nussle said, adding that investigators aren't jumping to conclusions.
Kennedy Principal June Drennen said the dugout and $10,000 worth of track equipment stored inside were destroyed in the fire, which broke out about 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The dugout, situated behind home plate, was built in 1999 by parents.
"It was all donated money," Drennen said. "The school didn't pay for any of it."
She believes the parent volunteers will rebuild the structure, but no plans have been made. Because the burned-out structure is a hazard, what's left of it must be torn down.
"Right now we're just focused on finding out who did it," Drennen said.
Kids were seen
She said kids were seen running from the dugout. As Drennen was pulling out of the parking lot, another car nearly clipped hers, she said, adding she thinks it may have been driven by those involved.
Drennen said school administrators were meeting with students Wednesday to try to dispel rumors and inform them about what happened.
"They're handling it very well," Drennen said.
Howland Superintendent John Rubesich said he is working with Kennedy and fire officials in the investigation.
"Obviously, this isn't anything anyone would condone," he said. "If it's students from Howland or any other school, I'm sure they'll be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
Although the athletic rivalry between the two schools can be fierce, Rubesich doesn't think athletes are responsible.
"It's someone who is deeply disturbed who is making terrible decisions," he said.