Page 16 - Flathead Beacon // 5.21.14

16 | MAY 21, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM

Investigation Underway into Fire at Glacier High School

Damage estimated at $40,000;

school ofering $1,000 reward

By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon

Glacier High School’s administration and the Ka-
lispell Police Department are investigating a ire at the
school’s track last week.
A human-caused ire fully engulfed the school’s

pole vault pits May 13, heavily damaging the pole vault
equipment, including the rubber runway, a nearby
fence and concrete surface, according to the school.
The approximate value of the damage is estimated at
roughly $40,000.
There are images on the school’s video surveillance
system and investigators are following up on other
possible leads, according to Glacier Activities Director

Mark Dennehy.
The Kalispell School District, along with Crimestop-
pers, is ofering a $1,000 reward for the arrest and con-
viction of whoever is responsible for the damage.
Anyone with information should contact Dennehy
at 758-8620.
Charred remains of the pole vault mats at Glacier High School on May 13. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
“Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated,”

Dennehy stated in an email.
on scene and disposed of the lames, but the entire The ire hasn’t slowed down Glacier’s standout pole
The Kalispell Fire Department responded to a re- foam mat was reduced to ashes. No further evidence vaulter, senior Lonnie Sherman, who broke his own
ported ire at Glacier High School early Tuesday morn- was found, but the ire was determined to be human- school record last week at a meet in Columbia Falls.
ing and discovered someone had burned the foam pole caused, according to Dedman.
Sherman cleared 15-feet in the pole vault, the highest
vault mat alongside the school’s track.
“Whether it was intentional or unintentional, we mark in the state this year. Sherman will attempt to
According to Fire Chief Dave Dedman, a caller re- don’t know,” Dedman said. “That’s the hard part about break the Western AA divisional record at this week’s
ported driving by the school around 3:20 a.m. and told ire investigations is that a majority of your evidence is two-day meet at Legends Stadium, May 23-24.
authorities that a ire was burning. Fire crews arrived
consumed by the ire.”
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