FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 3/25/10) Sparks are flying over who is financially and physically responsible for a fire that destroyed an abandoned school.
It's been almost five months since Capleville High School went up in flames. Now, school leaders are pointing fingers at the Memphis Police Department -- and they're hoping to cash in. The city says it's not MPD's fault, but the fight is just beginning.
When massive flames destroyed the old school, investigators couldn't immediately determine a cause. Attorneys for MCS say MPD destroyed the abandoned school at 4300 East Shelby Drive November 6, 2009. MCS blames MPD for allegedly going into the school without permission and conducting dangerous explosives training. In a scathing letter to city officials, an MCS attorney writes, "MPD did not follow proper procedure to secure the permit and also failed to disclose the inherently dangerous nature of its proposed use of the facility."
City Attorney Herman Morris disagrees and responded with a letter dated March 23, 2010. The letter says "there is no proof of negligence" and went on to say "proper safety protocols were followed and members of the Memphis Police Department determined there were no apparent hazards inside the facility before departing."
In fact, the fire started two hours after officers left. MPD says it did contact Memphis City Schools and "MPD did not store explosives in the building at any time."
"We'll work through this. Just tell them don't get too excited," says Mayor AC Wharton about MCS leaders. "There's no need for any rhetoric on it. It's a contested matter. I'll take a look at it."
In the end, it comes down to money. MCS wants the city to take full responsibility of all the damage. Both MCS and city say officers have used the school for training in the past, but the police department says it was not involved in training that day. MPD says another unnamed military group performed the exercise, and so MPD is not responsible.
- Memphis City Schools says Memphis Police Department caused fire
- Nov. 6, 2009 fire destroyed abandoned Capleville High School
- MPD, City of Memphis refusing to accept blame
(Memphis 3/25/10) Sparks are flying over who is financially and physically responsible for a fire that destroyed an abandoned school.
It's been almost five months since Capleville High School went up in flames. Now, school leaders are pointing fingers at the Memphis Police Department -- and they're hoping to cash in. The city says it's not MPD's fault, but the fight is just beginning.
When massive flames destroyed the old school, investigators couldn't immediately determine a cause. Attorneys for MCS say MPD destroyed the abandoned school at 4300 East Shelby Drive November 6, 2009. MCS blames MPD for allegedly going into the school without permission and conducting dangerous explosives training. In a scathing letter to city officials, an MCS attorney writes, "MPD did not follow proper procedure to secure the permit and also failed to disclose the inherently dangerous nature of its proposed use of the facility."
City Attorney Herman Morris disagrees and responded with a letter dated March 23, 2010. The letter says "there is no proof of negligence" and went on to say "proper safety protocols were followed and members of the Memphis Police Department determined there were no apparent hazards inside the facility before departing."
In fact, the fire started two hours after officers left. MPD says it did contact Memphis City Schools and "MPD did not store explosives in the building at any time."
"We'll work through this. Just tell them don't get too excited," says Mayor AC Wharton about MCS leaders. "There's no need for any rhetoric on it. It's a contested matter. I'll take a look at it."
In the end, it comes down to money. MCS wants the city to take full responsibility of all the damage. Both MCS and city say officers have used the school for training in the past, but the police department says it was not involved in training that day. MPD says another unnamed military group performed the exercise, and so MPD is not responsible.
