July 6, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2011-52) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org LOCAL SCHOOL BURGLARIZED AND DAMAGED BY FIRE Mobile firefighters responded to the report of a fire alarm at Meadowlake Elementary School, located at 8251 Three Notch Road early Wednesday morning, July 6. The call was received at approximately 1:55 a.m. and when firefighters arrived there was nothing visible. Upon further inspection they discovered there was smoke inside the building. Firefighters then forced entry and discovered the sprinkler system going off in the school cafeteria and another in a classroom. Also discovered was evidence the school had been broken into and burglarized. Investigators with Mobile Fire-Rescue and Mobile Police are currently investigating the incident as Burglary, Criminal Mischief 1st and Arson 2nd. Because of the sprinkler system in place the fire did little damage, mostly smoke and water damage as to compared to what could have occurred without the sprinkler system being in place. Fire and water damage is estimated to be at approximately $20 thousand. It appears the perpetrators used a vehicle or vehicles to force their way through a fence, it also appears the vehicle(s) were used to vandalize an air conditioning unit. The damage from the theft and vandalism is estimated at this time to be approximately $30 thousand. Those vehicles will most likely have some kind of front end damage. More information will be released as it becomes available. Anyone with information about this incident is ask to please call Mobile Fire-Rescue Department at 208-7311 or Mobile Police Department at 208-7211, Crime Stoppers at 208-7000, or text to 274637 and include the keyword CRIME 411. ###