Police Say Hope Community Center Fire is Arson
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: February 12, 2013
Police are treating an early morning fire in Hope, Arkansas as arson.
Officials say the Northside Park Community Center was set on fire after a person or people forced their way into the building.
It was a situation Hope City Manager, Catherine Cook, never thought would happen.
"I got the report a little after two that the Northside Park Community Center had been broken into and it was on fire," Cook said. "I immediately made the decision to come out here and see what was going on."
And Cook quickly realized just how serious it was.
"The kitchen area is badly damaged, all the appliances are damaged, dry wall on the ceiling. I was concerned because at first we were going to lose the building."
Fire officials say the fire started in the kitchen area and spread up into the attic. While it's going to be expensive to fix, it also comes at a cost for the community."
"This building and this park have been a part of the community for well over 50 years now. It's used for birthday parties, family reunions, afterschool programs. It's kind of a hard blow to all of us."
But Cook has no doubt the Hope Community will come together and bring it back to life.
"Hope has a long history of getting important projects accomplished, so I know we'll see it come back together and we'll see it rise from the ashes."
While an exact cost of damage isn't known, Cook believes it's well over $25,000.
According to Law Enforcement:
"Investigation found an unknown person(s) threw a rock through the side glass door of the Center, entered it and made forcible entry to the locked office area. A television that was removed and placed outside the center behind an adjacent building was recovered. Unknown persons ignited a fire in the Office area and left in an unknown direction. Officers have processed the scene for any forensive evidence."
If you have any information please call 870-722-2560.
Officials say the Northside Park Community Center was set on fire after a person or people forced their way into the building.
It was a situation Hope City Manager, Catherine Cook, never thought would happen.
"I got the report a little after two that the Northside Park Community Center had been broken into and it was on fire," Cook said. "I immediately made the decision to come out here and see what was going on."
And Cook quickly realized just how serious it was.
"The kitchen area is badly damaged, all the appliances are damaged, dry wall on the ceiling. I was concerned because at first we were going to lose the building."
Fire officials say the fire started in the kitchen area and spread up into the attic. While it's going to be expensive to fix, it also comes at a cost for the community."
"This building and this park have been a part of the community for well over 50 years now. It's used for birthday parties, family reunions, afterschool programs. It's kind of a hard blow to all of us."
But Cook has no doubt the Hope Community will come together and bring it back to life.
"Hope has a long history of getting important projects accomplished, so I know we'll see it come back together and we'll see it rise from the ashes."
While an exact cost of damage isn't known, Cook believes it's well over $25,000.
According to Law Enforcement:
"Investigation found an unknown person(s) threw a rock through the side glass door of the Center, entered it and made forcible entry to the locked office area. A television that was removed and placed outside the center behind an adjacent building was recovered. Unknown persons ignited a fire in the Office area and left in an unknown direction. Officers have processed the scene for any forensive evidence."
If you have any information please call 870-722-2560.
