LITTLE ROCK — University of Arkansas police released photographs Wednesday that show a white man wearing a ball cap purchasing a red gas can at a local Wal-Mart last Friday then using the can to spread gasoline in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house early Saturday.
UA police are searching for the suspect, police Lt. Matt Mills said.
The man is the only suspect in a fire that was reported at 3:45 a.m. Saturday at the Garland House at 10 N. Garland Ave. in Fayetteville. The building was vacant with students on summer break.
Only about 1,000 students or fewer are on campus during the summer sessions, said UA spokesman Steve Voorhies.
Mills said police do not know if the suspect is or was a university student and would not speculate on a motive. The explosion was caused by gas fumes igniting, according to a news release Wednesday. Part of the building’s external brick facade collapsed and windows burst.
Police do not have a weight or height description of the suspect but do have video evidence.
Anyone with information about the man’s identity should call the UA Police Department Investigative Services at (479) 575-2222 or Battalion Chief Terry Lawson of the Fayetteville fire marshal’s office at (479) 718-7639.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 12 on 07/15/2010