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Fires cancel classes at Christopher Newport University

Posted at 6:05 PM, Apr 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-16 23:44:25-04

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WTVR) -- Five fires at Christopher Newport University's main campus in Newport News Tuesday have canceled classes.

The university's website states that classes will resume at 8 a.m. on Wednesday after the string of suspicious fires in campus buildings.

The university's website says all buildings were closed Tuesday afternoon except the DSU, Library, Freeman and Commons.

A small fire was first reported on the second floor of the David Student Union Center Tuesday at 12:03 p.m.  The Newport News fire chief said the fire happened on the second floor in a bathroom, but was extinguished before firefighters arrived.

A second fire broke out in the bathroom of the Freeman Center. It was put out with a fire extinguisher, according to CNU officials. That building was reopened just before 4 p.m.

A third fire was then reported in a men’s restroom of the McMurran Building, according to Lori Jacobs of CNU.

Two additional fires were reported later in the afternoon in restrooms at Forbes Hall. Officials said both were extinguished and that damage was minimal.

CNU officials say all residence halls are card access only until further notice. Classes have been canceled for the evening but are scheduled to resume tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.

There have been no injuries reported due to these fires and damage has been minor.

The fires are being investigated as suspicious and remain under investigation.

CNU officials said all residence halls are card access only until further notice.