Arsonist torches Howard Amon Park bathrooms
An arsonist caused serious damage to the Howard Amon Park bathroom this week.
Richland city employees discovered the problem Friday morning when they arrived to clean the facility, which remains open at night.
Someone entered the men’s and women’s bathrooms in the building behind Sterling’s restaurant off George Washington Way and ignited toilet paper holders in the handicap stall, said Jason Janosky, the city’s park ranger.
The fire melted plastic, damaged floors and singed the paint. Hand sanitizer dispensers also were damaged.
“It’s trying to be destructive to be destructive sake,” Janosky said.
The park bathroom will be closed for two weeks while repairs are made, including replacing the floor and repainting.
The bathrooms near the tennis courts will remain open for park users.
The cost of the repairs hasn’t been determined, he said.
This story was originally published October 18, 2019 at 5:47 PM.