An Ohio University custodian, Jason Brown, 32, was arrested for the costly damages to OU’s Research and Technology Center. He will proceed to a preliminary hearing Jan. 7.
Brown, a resident of Chauncey, already attended the Athens County Municipal Court on Dec. 17, pleading not guilty.
However, Brown admitted to improperly putting out a cigarette on the roof, causing a wooden telescope house atop the roof to trigger the fire.
“Brown was charged with criminal damaging, which is a second degree misdemeanor,” Andrew Powers,
Ohio University police chief,
said in an email. “The maximum penalty is 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.”
After the damage, the university’s insurance spent approximately $21,000 to remove debris from the building and make some repairs.
Although a large sum has been spent already, a contractor will give the university an estimate on the additional costs of the final remedies
The university is still waiting on total costs, said Katie Quaranta, Ohio University communications and marketing communication specialist.
The Ohio University Police Department responded to the fire at 12:26 a.m. on Nov. 30, reporting no injuries. The Athens Fire Department extinguished the flames.
kf398711@ohiou.edu
