A wave of dumpster fires seemingly caused by arson has struck campus during the past two months, including three incidents in the last five days, said Barry Weiser, Public Safety crime prevention specialist.
The fires have occurred most frequently around Spelman Hall and the "junior slums" dormitories.
"At this time, there is what is perceived to be a problem with dumpster fires," University Fire Marshall Bob Gregory said. "Borough fire officials and the police department, along with the University proctors, are currently investigating."
Upon investigation the Borough Fire Department has determined that the fires were set deliberately.
"They were intentional," said Bill Drake, the Borough fire marshall. "I can't comment on the specifics. I can only confirm that we are investigating and that we are making progress."
Though it is normal to have a few dumpster fires each year, mostly resulting from sloppy disposal of barbecue charcoal or cigarette butts, the frequency of the recent fires has been unusual.
A dumpster fire near Spelman was reported to Public Safety at 11:13 p.m. Sunday night, according to the Public Safety police blotter.
About an hour later at 12:32 a.m. Monday, another dumpster fire was reported near the sixth entryway of Pyne Hall.
A proctor reported seeing a glowing light near a Spelman entry at 2:50 a.m. Monday. The glow was caused by a flare burning outside of the fifth entryway, according to the blotter.
Public Safety has decided to treat these fires as a more serious matter than others that have occurred on campus.
"This whole thing started out with a couple of bulletin boards located around Holder and Brown halls being burned," Borough Police Capt. Anthony Federico said. "It has now progressed to dumpsters."
The wave of dumpster fires began in March, Weiser said, and has included multiple fires near Spelman and one near Wright Hall.
The Borough Fire Department has responded to each incident and experienced no difficulty in suppressing the fires, Drake said.
Once it was determined that the fires were set intentionally the investigation was turned over to Borough Police, Federico said.
Gregory said he is concerned that the objects being set on fire will become larger, leading to more serious implications.
"Our concern with dumpster fires is that if we have a person doing it eventually they'll get bored and soon try to move on to a building, and then you have problems," he said.
"Right now they're dumpster fires, but once the damages are to buildings or people it becomes a very serious crime."
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