WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) -- Suspicious fires damaged an elementary school and a former creamery here early Tuesday, authorities said.
Flames were spotted coming from the walkway doors of two of portable classrooms at the Wilkinson elementary school shortly after 2 a.m.
Detective Mark Hanson said police used a fire extinguisher to slow the blaze until firefighters got to the school. No one was hurt.
``There is smoke damage, and the two walkway doors and parts of the deck will have to be replaced,'' Hanson said. Students will have to stay out of the area until smoke damage is cleaned up, he said.
``It appears to be intentional,'' Hanson said. ``It's still under investigation.''
The second fire, at the former Peterson Creamery, was reported around 2:36 a.m. Hanson said firefighters found flames shooting through the roof.
Williston Fire Department Battalion Chief Richard Shearer said firefighters remained at the scene until nearly 8 a.m., and Hanson said a good part of the southwest corner of the building was gutted. The former creamery was used mostly for storage, he said.
