Officials probe fires at Temple U. building


February 13, 2013 at 8:36a.m.

Officials probe fires at Temple U. building

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating a series of small fires that were apparently set at a $216 million residential complex under construction at Temple University.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives says it’s investigating the blazes at Morgan Hall at the north Philadelphia campus. The project consists of a 27-story building and a 10-story building and is expected to provide housing for about 1,300 students this fall.

ATF Special Agent Steven Bartholomew says authorities are investigating the arsons and want to arrest whoever is responsible as quickly as possible. Officials say the series of six small fires over the past two days has caused about $100,000 in damage.

Three people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.