Ephrata Sports Complex building burns, likely arson

EPHRATA — The concessions building at the Ephrata Sports Complex located behind the Ephrata Fire Department on A Street SE is a total loss after a Tuesday evening fire that started in a port-a-potty located next to the building. Authorities say the cause is likely arson.

“This is our fourth port-a-potty fire in the last six months throughout town,” Ephrata Fire Department Chief Jeremy Burns said. “We had the first one, I believe, was at Rock Park in downtown Ephrata. We had another one at the Methodist church for the construction crews that are rebuilding the church from a fire (and) we had one where they attempted to light one on fire at Washington Trust Bank when it was under construction.” 

The series of fires seem to have no notable motivation other than to damage property out of mischief, Burns said. The Ephrata Police Department is investigating the incidents and some people of interest have been identified, but no major breakthrough in the case has occurred. EPD staff are reviewing doorbell camera footage and other evidence in the hope of identifying who the culprit or culprits might be. 

“Destruction of property is, to me, one of the dumbest things. There’s no vendetta. You’re just ruining things,” Burns said. 

Those who use the sports complex are the ones impacted by the fire, which EFD responded to at about 10:30 and later received mutual aid from Grant County Fire District 13. Starting in the mobile toilet, the flames easily spread to the two-story concessions building which was also used to store equipment such as nets for soccer goals. 

The building was insured and City Administrator Ray Towry said the city has begun the work of filing an insurance claim on the building and it was unknown if that would cover the replacement of any of the stored equipment. 

“It’s too early in the process to know how that’s going to work,” Towry said Wednesday.

The city has barricades up around the building and will put up temporary fencing to prevent people from entering the building and getting injured. 

A sign posted on the side of the building indicates that the building is dangerous and it is a misdemeanor to enter the building as is defacement or removal of the sign. 

Anyone with information regarding the series of mobile toilet fires should contact the Ephrata Police Department at 509-754-2491.