West Virginia University – Where Greatness Is Learned and Couches Are Burned!!

I expect to see quite a few fires tonight no matter what happens – the students don’t give a fuck……..

36 Trucks Remove Fire Fuel in Morgantown

Morgantown, WV – Cleanup crews filled 3 dozen dump trucks with furniture and trash from hundreds of rental properties Thursday as Morgantown officials try to prevent or at least downsize the street fires that have long typified weekends at West Virginia University.

Fire Marshals posted hundreds of notices on doors earlier this week as excitement builds for Saturday night’s football games between #16 West Virignia against #2 LSU. Both teams are 3-0. ESPN’s “College Game Day” is broadcasting live from Morgantown all day Saturday, and win or lose, the potential for revelry is high. Kickoff is 8pm.

The cleanup began at 9am Thursday and covered both the Sunnyside area and downtown. It was the first time since 2005, before a big game with Virginia Tech, that the city conducted what it calls a “furniture abatement program.” That time, crews filled about 2 dozen dump trucks and fire marshals wrote more than 80 misdemeanor citations to those who refused to cooperate. On Thursday, only 3 residents refused to comply. They were cites and could face fines of $100 to $1,000.

State and City fire marshals will begin patrolling the historically problematic neighborhoods Thursday night. Morgantown and WVU have been trying for years to end the long-standing tradition of setting fires to celebrate athletic victories and other events, including the death of al-Qiada leader Osama bin Laden in May. There are hundreds set every year.

Until now, Morgantown relied on a misdemeanor malicious burning law, which carries a mandatory $1,000 fine. The fine was never enough of a deterrent. Last month, the city announced it will begin filing felony charges against people caught setting fires. Convictions under the State Arson Code could mean 1 to 3 years in prison, depending on the severity of the charge. 2 people were arrested and charged last weekend after the WVU – Maryland game.