Occupy Group: Arsonist to Blame for Campsite Fire at ISU
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: April 22, 2012
NORMAL - The Occupy BloNo group says someone intentionally set fire to its campsite at Illinois State University.
Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, the Normal Fire Department responded to a fire at the campsite, which is located on campus between Milner Library and the Bone Student Center.
The flames were knocked out quickly, and no one was hurt. But the campsite, which consisted of a large tent and some pallets, was destroyed.
In an e-mail to WMBD 31 Sunday night, Occupy BloNo said, "These disgusting acts of violence towards peaceful demonstrators will not be tolerated and we are asking the campus community, law enforcement and the press to do a thorough investigation to identify the arsonist."
The group is planning a press conference and demonstration at noon Monday at the campsite to respond to the fire.
Meanwhile, ISU Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said Sunday the fire damaged the Milner Library canopy that stretched over the campsite.
He said flames caused some of the stitching to split open. He also said there are no suspects at this time.
'We don't know if this was as a result of the group's political affiliations or beliefs," he said.
As for the cause of the fire, NFD Spokesman Matt Swaney said it's still under investigation.
"We're still not sure if it was intentional or an accident," he said.
Swaney said it was premature for anyone to call it an arson. He said it's possible an unattended cigarette that the wind blew into the tent could be to blame.
Occupy BloNo formed in 2011 as part of the international movement to stand up to big business and corporate interests, among other issues.
The photo used for this story is credited to WZND Radio.
Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, the Normal Fire Department responded to a fire at the campsite, which is located on campus between Milner Library and the Bone Student Center.
The flames were knocked out quickly, and no one was hurt. But the campsite, which consisted of a large tent and some pallets, was destroyed.
In an e-mail to WMBD 31 Sunday night, Occupy BloNo said, "These disgusting acts of violence towards peaceful demonstrators will not be tolerated and we are asking the campus community, law enforcement and the press to do a thorough investigation to identify the arsonist."
The group is planning a press conference and demonstration at noon Monday at the campsite to respond to the fire.
Meanwhile, ISU Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said Sunday the fire damaged the Milner Library canopy that stretched over the campsite.
He said flames caused some of the stitching to split open. He also said there are no suspects at this time.
'We don't know if this was as a result of the group's political affiliations or beliefs," he said.
As for the cause of the fire, NFD Spokesman Matt Swaney said it's still under investigation.
"We're still not sure if it was intentional or an accident," he said.
Swaney said it was premature for anyone to call it an arson. He said it's possible an unattended cigarette that the wind blew into the tent could be to blame.
Occupy BloNo formed in 2011 as part of the international movement to stand up to big business and corporate interests, among other issues.
The photo used for this story is credited to WZND Radio.
