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Oklahoma School Library Damaged in Fire;
Arson Suspected

Fire department officials suspect that arson to cover up a burglary was the cause of a May 24 fire that produced an estimated $200,000 damage to the Grandfield (Okla.) High School library and adjoining classrooms. School librarian Mary Hasenmyer said in the May 25 Wichita Falls (Tex.) Times Record News that there would be $50,000 damage to library books alone.

Teacher Liz Washburn discovered the blaze and a broken outside window around 7:40 in the morning. Fire Marshal Cary Williamson told reporters that detectives from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation were dusting for fingerprints. “There is no doubt that it was an act of arson possibly to cover up an attempted burglary to find money in the library,” he said.

Hasenmyer said, “We were taking up lunch money and overdue book fines at school on Wednesday and I guess they thought there was money in here.”

Posted May 28, 2001.

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