Two fires at a University of Oshkosh residence hall in just 48 hours have the whole campus on high alert. At this hour investigators are calling it likely an act of arson. NBC26 unpacks what campus police are doing to try and keep students safe.
For nearly 400 freshmen at UWO living in Fletcher Hall, a potential act of arson twice in just 48 hours, has put them and their classmates on edge.
Two fires likely set in Fletcher Hall's basement in two days has freshman here thinking about more adult matters, rather than their final exams.
“Yesterday we heard the alarms go off and we came down and we looked over at the windows and saw the fire," says UWO Freshman Ashley Barsuli who lives in Fletcher Hall.
Investigators say both of the fires appear to have been started using a flame retardant chair in the dorm’s basement. While the alarm did sound the second time around, the first fire didn’t activate the system because of how small it was according to UWO Campus Police. The fact that a fire started in the first place is enough for most students to be concerned.
"I’m kinda terrified because if they start the dorm on fire everything I own is in my room. So if something really bad were to happen I would lose everything," adds Barsuli.
Campus Police have notified everyone who lives on school grounds about the probable arson and they've also beefed up security.
"After we responded to this incident we made measures to get a 24-hour presence in the building," says interim Chief of Campus Police Christopher Tarmann.
“We have brought in additional personnel both from University Police and in the residence buildings,” says Petra Roter the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.”
Additional security cameras are being installed today too so administrators can keep a watchful eye on the students in and out of this dorm. Ultimately if a student is found responsible for the crime, the Vice Chancellor says the consequences could seriously impair their educational opportunities across the state.
"The penalty for that is suspension of expulsion from the University, all University of Wisconsin Institutions," adds Roter.
So as members of the class of 2019 cram for their first set of final exams, odds are they have more on their minds than the tests.
"It's pretty scary being on my own and just knowing that somebody is trying to do it on purpose," adds Barsuli.
Hopefully the only thing keeping students up at night at Fletcher Hall is the books they're buried in, rather than the potential of another fire.
A 500 dollar reward is being offered to anyone who can lead authorities to the culprit of this potential arson. Just call the UWO Campus Police at 920-424-1212 or you can remain anonymous by contacting the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-TIPS (8477)
