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The Morgantown Fire Department responded to as many as 27 fires Saturday night following West Virginia University’s win against Georgetown University for the title of Big East Tournament champions.
Most fires were in student housing areas, said Morgantown Fire Department Capt. Dave Bolyard. He said many seemed to be in the Sunnyside area and the North Willey, Spruce and Price streets area.
Approximately four were dumpster fires, Bolyard said, adding there is still damage attributed to dumpster fires.
"Any time there’s a fire in a dumpster, the company that has the dumpster claims that the damage destroys the plastic lids," Bolyard said. He did not know if any other damage was caused by fires Saturday.
The Morgantown Police Department also responded to approximately 15 calls about fires.
They were spread out between Sunnyside and the Snyder Street area, said MPD Sgt. Bryon Hennessey.
He said arrests were made for malicious burning and attempting to start street fires.
"Other than that, it was a pretty normal night for a weekend," Hennessey said. "The biggest problems were street and dumpster fires."
The amount of penalties for malicious fires rose last May as an amendment to the Morgantown City Prevention Codes was passed by the Morgantown City Council.
If found guilty, the person is fined $1,000. Malicious burning includes couches and dumpster fires, among other things.
While the city court handles these citations, Hennessey said the University is often made aware of the crime.
"Oftentimes, they’ll take sanction as well because the arrest is public information," he said.
WVU’s Student Conduct Code states, "when a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the University will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student."
Jon Bolt, interim director of WVU News and Information Services, said the Office of Student Judicial Affairs would notify students who are charged immediately.
"Depending on their involvement and what was the outcome, their penalties could range from a warning to expulsion," he said.
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