DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-09-12 Daily Iowan Article: ""Officials Suspect Blaze in Library Caused by Arson""

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-09-12 Daily Iowan Article: ""Officials Suspect Blaze in Library Caused by Arson""

DI 9/12/70

Officials Suspect Blaze in Library Caused by Arson

Arson is strongly suspected by campus and city officials as the cause of a fire in the Oriental Studies Department on the fourth floor of the Library. Officials of the State Fire Marshall's office have been called in to investigate.
The initial alarm was turned in to campus security about 7:45 p.m. by an unidentified graduate student who had gone up to the Oriental Studies area to do some work. Iowa City fire trucks were summoned at 8 p.m. 
Library officials credited campus security officer Billy Mitchell 2426 Crestview, with preventing a major blaze. Mitchell put out the fire with a chemical extinguisher. 
The fire apparently was set in a stack of newspapers next to a bookcase. Library officials had no immediate estimate of the damage. 
Campus security officials are currently questioning witnesses and believe they have a possible suspect. 
Investigation by campus and state officials was continuing Friday night, with some further details expected today.

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DI 9/12/70 Officials Suspect Blaze in Library Caused by Arson Arson is strongly suspected by campus and city officials as the cause of a fire in the Oriental Studies Department on the fourth floor of the Library. Officials of the State Fire Marshall's office have been called in to investigate. The initial alarm was turned in to campus security about 7:45 p.m. by an unidentified graduate student who had gone up to the Oriental Studies area to do some work. Iowa City fire trucks were summoned at 8 p.m. Library officials credited campus security officer Billy Mitchell 2426 Crestview, with preventing a major blaze. Mitchell put out the fire with a chemical extinguisher. The fire apparently was set in a stack of newspapers next to a bookcase. Library officials had no immediate estimate of the damage. Campus security officials are currently questioning witnesses and believe they have a possible suspect. Investigation by campus and state officials was continuing Friday night, with some further details expected today.