Authorities seeking tips in Bowling Green arson

6/27/2006

BOWLING GREEN - Police and fire investigators are looking for information about an arson fire over the weekend at a just-opened child care center on the city's west side.

Fire badly damaged the interior of Wonderland of Learning, 1235 Ridgewood Drive, which had been open just nine days, city fire Lt. Bill Moorman said.

A passer-by alerted the fire department shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday to the fire in the one-story, wood-frame structure.

"It is deliberately set. It is an arson," the lieutenant said.

Building owner Ed Tyrrell said the building previously housed Tender Age Day Care Center, which is located in the building next door. He could not give an estimate of the damage.

A reward of up to $5,000 is available through the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee. Anyone with information about the fire is urged to call the Crime Stopper hotline, 419-352-0077, or the Bowling Green Fire Division, 419-352-3106.