The historic electric trolley car along Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was damaged by a suspicious fire early Wednesday.
Sapulpa News and Views reported on Facebook:
First thought to have been caused by an electrical short in Christmas display lighting, a lock pried off one of the street car’s two doors and security camera footage have caused the fire to be called suspicious.
“We’re fortunate someone saw the flames and summoned the fire department,” said former CEO of Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway Russel Crosby. “It could have been a lot worse” had the flames spread to the structure that shelters the town’s centennial icon and popular Route 66 tourist stop. […]
Two teens who were walking along Dewey Ave (Route 66) and saw the flames contacted the authorities. Their report and fast response of Sapulpa firefighters from the nearby central station saved the car, but there is significant damage.
The fire damaged two mannequins in the trolley and ruined several hand-crafted seats to replicate the originals, a section of floor planks, side paneling and at least two windows. Blistering of paint also was seen.
A television station from nearby Tulsa was at the scene later that day and reported that authorities thought a vagrant was trying to start a fire to keep warm, and it got out of control.
No injuries were reported.
The city’s only surviving trolley car was restored about 20 years ago as part of Sapulpa’s centennial. The trolley dates to about 1907, when the city first got electricity.’
(Image of the damaged trolley car via Facebook; image of the Sapulpa trolley in 2007 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, by Kevin via Flickr)
““We’re fortunate someone saw the flames and summoned the fire department,” ”
“Fortunate” would mean whoever forced the lock and most likely started the fire had been caught before doing the damage. Whether accident or otherwise, to me it amounts to arson. Wikipedia: “It is not required that the defendant acted intentionally or willfully….” And please, no totally misplaced sympathy for any imagined “vagrant”.