
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990                   TAG: 9004180179
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

ARSON SUSPECTED IN CHARLOTTESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FIRE

An early morning fire gutted a classroom and two offices and heavily damaged five other classrooms Tuesday at Albemarle High School, and arson was the suspected cause, authorities said.

The fire set off an automatic alarm at 4:15 a.m. at the school, which has been closed this week for spring vacation. It is to reopen Monday.

There is "a very strong suspicion of arson" because spray-painted graffitti was found on walls inside the building, said Al Reaser, director of building services for the Albemarle County school system.

One firefighter said wads of burned paper were found against a bulletin board and graffiti such as "CHS is the Best" - a reference to rival Charlottesville High School - was written on a classroom wall.

The fire took almost two hours to bring under control.

by CNB