Ignited pizza boxes spark elevator fires

By Marianne Renner

Fires ignited in two elevators at Grant Towers South residence hall caused about $300 in damage Monday night, DeKalb firefighters said.

University Police said pizza boxes were set on fire and put in the north and south elevators on the B wing. UPs said there are no suspects although they are investigating the incident and interviewing residents.

Each elevator received fire damage to the floor tiles and smoke damage after someone lit the boxes and left them near the center of the floor.

UPs received the call at about 3 a.m. Police called the south elevator down from the 8th floor of the residence hall. UPs said an alarm showed the fire originated on the 8th floor and residents smelled smoke.

When the UPs called the elevator down to the first floor, there appeared to be no smoke or fire present—just a pile of burned paper, UPs said.

UPs then called the north elevator down. When the door of the elevator opened, police said the elevator was smoldering and a senior staff member with a fire extinguisher was inside.

UPs said the staff member reported that she could smell smoke and see flames through the partially open doors.

Upon investigation, police also found two pizza boxes in the 8th floor restroom.

UPs said the elevators were locked and put out of commission until they could be repaired.

UPs and the DeKalb Fire Department are investigating the incident.