The short-term costs of the fire at Ohio University’s Research and Technology Center that broke out early Friday morning total more than $20,000.
The $21,000 figure does not represent the total damage to the building. Instead, it accounts for the debris removal and temporary repairs to the building, said Katie Quaranta, university spokeswoman.
University insurance reserves will cover the costs until insurance pays for the total amount, which will also include the damage incurred to the building’s roof.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the fire as arson.
Fire marshal representatives arrived on campus early Friday morning and will continue to work with the Ohio University Police Department, OU Police Capt. Brian Kapple said.
The building was open for Friday classes and students were asked to contact university police if they had any available information about the fire.
The building previously housed one of OU’s telescopes that was purchased in 1948 for $13,500, according to a previous Post article. However, the telescope was removed well before the fire occurred.
“The telescope (that was housed in R-Tech) is in storage and was moved within the last year for renovations,” said Wayne Chiasson, department administrator of astronomy and physics, in a previous Post article. “The damage from the fire was to the enclosure (shed) that housed the telescope. The telescope itself is safe.”
sj950610@ohiou.edu
