THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310501
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
A fire that damaged the stage building at the amphitheater in Lafayette Park early Sunday was probably caused by homeless people living there, fire officials said Tuesday.
``It doesn't appear to have been intentionally set,'' said C.T. Wilkinson, an arson investigator. ``It might have been set accidentally.''
The fire originated backstage about 2 a.m. and apparently got out of control, Wilkinson said. It was probably used for cooking or to provide light.
``Right now no one's being charged'' with arson, he said.
Investigators found clothes, candles, bottles and flattened cardboard boxes in the fire-damaged area.
The park has had a problem with homeless people living on park grounds and in the amphitheater, which is surrounded by a 4-foot-high fence, Wilkinson said.
Groundskeepers, however, said they often saw homeless people frequenting the park but never inside the amphitheater's enclosure.
``But they (groundskeepers) don't usually go inside,'' said Bob Alderman, assistant superintendent of parks and forestry. ``They've never seen anyone inside the fence, but anything is possible.''
The amphitheater was last used about two years ago for an art show, said Stanley Stein, director of recreation, parks and general services.
It was built in the 1950s and once drew up to 3,000 people for musical events.Its use has declined since the concert facilities were built at Town Point Pakr and at Ocean View Park, he said.
As a result, the city planned to demolish the amphitheater to make room for an African exhibit when the Virginia Zoological park is expanded within five years, Stein said.
``The structure was in poor condition,'' said Stein, who could not estimate the amount of damage caused by the fire.
``I cannot remember a time when the place was fully used,'' said Stein, who has worked for the recreation department for 22 years. He would not comment about homeless people living in the building.
``There's a lot of people with no place to be,'' said Kim Williams of Catholic Worker, an organization that feeds the homeless four mornings a week.
``It's just really hard. People have to sleep somewhere.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
RICHARD L. DUNSTON/Staff
The stage and amphitheater at Lafayette Park in Norfolk haven't been
fully used in ages - and are to be replaced by an Africa exhibit at
the neighboring zoo, said recreation director Stanley Stein.
by CNB