KOOP-FM fire intentionally set

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The fire that knocked radio station KOOP-FM 91.7 Austin, TX off the air over the weekend was intentionally set, fire officials said. The blaze caused 100,000 in damages to the building in East Austin and 200,000 in damages to equipment. The Texas State Arson Hotline is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest (not necessarily conviction) of those responsible for the recent fire at KOOP’s facility. The hotline may be reached 24×7 at 1-877-4FIRE45 (1-877-434-7345).The fire struck two years after a Jan. 6, 2006, blaze at the station’s old home on Fifth Street. It did an estimated 600,000 in damage and knocked KOOP off the air for a week. On Feb. 4, 2006, the KOOP building was destroyed by another fire. Officials determined that a malfunction in a heating and air-conditioning unit on the first floor of nearby Club Taste started the final blaze, which caused 2.7 million in damage.


KOOP moved to its new studios in December ‘06.

KOOP Andrew Dickens says “Violence will not stop us”:

Violence will not stop us

Team,

I think we’re all shocked and outraged by the knowledge that this most recent fire was an act of violence intended to silence KOOP radio.

We will not be silenced.  We’re not going to be intimidated or scared.  We’re not going to allow someone to squelch radio for the community, by the community.  We’re going to get back on the air ASAP and we’re going to rebuild.  We will take all appropriate measures to protect our volunteers, staff, and operations.  We’ve been through worse, and we know we have the skills, the determination, and the support of the community.
Now – right now – is the time for all of us to stand up against elements that want to use violence to bully us or shut us up. 

Team, please forward this (or your own similar sentiment).