BETHESDA, Md. (AP) -- Two small fires were deliberately set early Monday at a concert hall under construction at the Strathmore Hall Arts Center in North Bethesda, causing $500,000 in damage, fire officials said.
It took firefighters about 15 minutes to put out the blazes, which were reported by a construction worker in the area about 4:40 a.m., Montgomery County fire and rescue spokesman Lt. Oscar Garcia said.
The fires were set near the back stage of the concert hall's second floor, Garcia said. There did not appear to be any structural damage to the almost-completed building - but some drywall and other construction materials were destroyed.
The $100 million, 1,978-seat concert hall is being built with state and county funds and is intended as the second home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The hall's grand opening is scheduled for February 2005.
Pete Piringer, another fire and rescue spokesman, said construction had been halted on the project Monday as authorities continued their investigation. It wasn't immediately clear whether the project's opening would be delayed.
Authorities urged anyone with information about the fires to call the county's arson tip line at 240-777-2263.
