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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 2, 1995                   TAG: 9502020051
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: EMORY                                  LENGTH: Short

BAND ROOM CATCHES FIRE; STUDENTS OK

No injuries were reported, and school personnel said students left the building quietly and without incident.

The cause of the blaze was unknown, but fire investigators ruled out arson.

``We can't be 100 percent certain right now, but my guess is it was started by an electrical problem,'' Glade Spring Fire Chief Steve White said. ``It doesn't appear to be anything suspicious.''

The band room was empty and locked from the outside when the alarm rang about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, band Director Richard Huggins said.

``Right now, we're assessing the damage,'' he said. ``We're putting the band program on hold for the moment, but it will continue.''

Huggins said musical instruments and uniforms for the marching band were valued at more than $50,000.

Officials said insurance will cover most of the loss.

The band room was heavily damaged, and smoke and heat damage was evident throughout the building.