January 28, 2005

Back to the Table of Contents Page

Back to the Weekly Home Page

Classifieds

Publication Date: Friday, January 28, 2005

Investigators probe cause of $225,000 Foothill High fire

Investigators continued to probe through evidence and other information late Wednesday into a suspicious fire and graffiti that caused an estimated $225,000 in damages at Foothill High School early Saturday.

The fire destroyed a portable building used for computer classes, and smoke damage shut down a nearby portable also used as a classroom. The graffiti, racial slurs painted on the side of the school's library some distance away, was not on the building Friday night when school custodians left the site. Crews acid-washed the library wall Saturday and repainted it, and investigators retrieved several spray paint containers believed used in the incident.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT), which has a field office and laboratory in Dublin, joined in the investigation. It is working to identify who bought spray paint to write the graffiti after discovering paint containers at the scene that were reportedly purchased at Longs Drug Store in Dublin.

"We are looking at two separate incidents that occurred on different parts of the Foothill campus, although they both occurred the same night and could be related," said Sgt. Brian Laurence of the Pleasanton Police Department. "Right now, we can't say for sure that the fire was caused by arson, although we believe it was."

A California Highway Patrol officer who was driving on I-680 first spotted the fire at 3:45 a.m. He radioed the Pleasanton police and Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, who were on the scene a few minutes later. Before the fire was extinguished, it had gutted the computer classroom, although firefighters prevented it from spreading to close-by portables, located at the eastern edge of the campus near the football field.

Kevin Johnson, school principal, said teachers and administrators worked through the weekend to prepare two vacant classrooms for computer class students on Monday. Johnson also sent a memo to teachers, encouraging them to discuss the incidents with their students Monday.

"The fire caused over $225,000 of loss," Johnson said. "Sadly, after dealing with the fire, daylight brought the realization that racist graffiti was tagged on campus. I can't imagine any Foothill student would be involved in such disgusting hatred.

"We are working with local police and fire investigators as well as county and federal officials to ensure that the individuals responsible are held accountable."

The school district is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the incidents that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved.

Laurence said that although investigators have received some e-mails and have interviewed students and others in the public who have come forward with credible tips, no suspects had been identified or questioned as of late Wednesday.

Monday was the only full day of classes at Foothill, with first semester final exams scheduled the rest of this week. But with tomorrow's basketball game between Foothill and Amador Valley High School, Laurence said police and investigators will also be there, working the crowds for possible tips.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.