Arson blamed for fire at ice rink

DULUTH -- An arson fire extensively damaged a shelter at one of the ice rinks in Duluth's Morgan Park a week ago.

"There was only one little section that didn't get burned," Duluth Fire Department Fire Marshal Marnie Grondahl said. "Part of the roof burned off."

The roofed shelter included benches for players and an area for scorekeepers. It was partly open on its rink side.

The fire was reported at 6:35 p.m. on Aug. 4. When firefighters arrived, the shelter was fully involved. Fire officials put the damage estimate at $5,000. Some of the rink's boards next to the shelter suffered heat and smoke damage.

Grondahl ruled the fire as arson, since there were no other sources of ignition present.