Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 6, 1993 TAG: 9308060163
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA LENGTH: Medium
The officers spotted flames about 12:20 a.m. Monday at the lighthouse in Jones Point Park and saw three youths running away. The police radioed for firefighters, who arrived in time to extinguish a small fire on the porch of the 137-year-old lighthouse.
The officers caught a 16-year-old boy who was charged with arson and released into the custody of his father. He was not identified because of his age.
Park Police and Alexandria Police searched for two girls, who were not found the day of the fire. Police now know their identities but have not charged them. Park police Sgt. Gregory Brown said the case still is under investigation.
Jones Point Park at the southern tip of Alexandria's Old Town section is along the banks of the Potomac River. The park is a popular place for dog walkers and picnickers.
"It is an old and historic property. It's a landmark and a symbol of Alexandria. It's a shame to think anybody would try to do that," said Barbara Lynch, a neighbor who frequents the park.
Meg Wylie, walking Wednesday near the lighthouse, said the building has been the target of vandals before.
"This place is up for grabs. They sprayed graffiti on it in the past and pulled the gutters off the building. It's too bad, because it's neat," she said.
Alexandria historians said the building is the nation's last lighthouse standing along an inland river. The building is surrounded by a new picket fence, which also was recently damaged.
Since it first was illuminated in 1856, the wooden lighthouse has withstood lightning bolts, fire, vandalism and theft.
The lighthouse was constructed after a special authority was created by Congress in 1852 to improve the navigation of inland waterways. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Boards nailed across the door and a charred spot beneath the door were the only evidence of this week's fire. Officials estimate the damage at $100.
"It's a shame. The [city] just spent money fixing it up," said Michael T. Miller, a city historian.
The fire came just a few days after the Robinson House, a historic landmark at Manassas Battlefield National Park, was damaged by fire. Investigators said that blaze also was arson.
The original house on the site was built in 1855 by a freed slave.
by CNB