AMERICUS — As hundreds of supporters enjoyed the Americus-Sumter County Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser Gala Tuesday night, something was awry at the Clubhouse at 103 Hosanna Circle.
According to police reports, the Club was broken into and several fires were started in the gymnasium. The damage was discovered by the maintenance crew on Wednesday morning.
Americus Police Chief Mark Scott said his department is working with the Americus Fire & Emergency Service’s arson investigator on the case but no suspects have been developed yet.
Scott said the perpetrators, after breaking in, set small fires in “three or four areas” of the gym, which activated the sprinkler system.
Because the sprinkler system was not tied into an alarm system, Scott said, no one knew the sprinklers were on for “three or more days.” Although the sprinklers squelched the fires, extreme water damage to the flooring resulted, according to the police chief.
— Beth Alston