OSC probes Hill House arson case

The University Police Detective Unit has transferred its investigation into small fires allegedly intentionally ignited in Hill College House two weeks ago to the Office of Student Conduct.

The fires, which caused minimal damage and apparently burned themselves out, were first investigated by University Fire and Emergency Services.

"There were no ignition sources in the area, so it had to be malicious mischief," said Gene Janda, a Penn safety specialist.

OSC Director Michele Goldfarb confirmed that the case is now being handled by her office.

"It has been referred to us for handling and resolving," she said, adding that "we are not positive that we've got the right people, but some individuals have been identified."

As per OSC policy, the identities of the suspects and the investigative and disciplinary proceedings of the office are confidential.

According to Goldfarb, suspects were identified by Hill residents.

"We're working on the assumption that they didn't do it until we can prove that they did," Goldfarb said.

House Dean Amy Pollock could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Interestingly, though Hill's fire alarm went off three times that weekend -- set off by smoke from the building's dining hall, a power surge and a prank -- the actual fires evidently did not cause the fire warning system to sound the alarm.

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