Investigators try to figure cause of Lynchburg College fire

Investigators pickup the pieces of what’s left of the burnt up storage building.

Sifting through the debris, Fire Marshall Greg Wormser says they’re looking for clues that could lead them to what started the fire.

“Anything that just doesn’t look like it should be there at this point, so anything that catches our eye.  Anything that might be electrical, anything that may have been a contributing factor to a fire are things that we’re looking for,” said Wormser.

The damage has been assessed at over 130-thousand dollars in damages.  Varsity soccer and lacrosse equipment like jerseys, helmets, and gloves were ruined in the blaze.

A Lynchburg College spokesman says the fire won’t affect the varsity sports very much because only practice equipment was stored here.  They kept their game day equipment at another location.

Paul Stern runs the outdoor program for LC and says they kept all of their gear in the building.

“Tents, sleeping bags, stoves, climbing gear, paddling gear, challenge course, ropes course,” said Stern.

Even though the outdoor equipment was kept in the middle of the building where there was less damage, he says much of it is useless because of heat and smoke damage.  Stern says hundreds of students use the equipment, so he’s going to do his best to keep the program open.

“We will not miss a beat.  We will keep going.  We will salvage what we can and purchase new.  We’ll borrow.  We’ll make due,” said Stern.

He may have to cut a few activities, but stern says he’s determined to not let this fire shut down the outdoor program at Lynchburg College.