Fairgrounds Barn Fires Ruled Arson

Investigators say a fire that destroyed four barns at the Kentucky state fairgrounds was intentionally set.

Four barns were destroyed and several others damaged in the blaze that was reported at about 2 a.m. Sept. 2. here were not animals in the barns, and no one was hurt.

Marj. Henry Ott, chief of the Lousville Metro arson squad, said a minor fire that broke out the afternoon before the major blaze erupted was quickly put out by fairgournds staff and sasn't reported at the time.  It also has been ruled arson.

The state firemaral's office said Sept 3 that investigators used dogs trained to sniff for fire accelerants in the investigation.  Officials are still searching for tips on who might have set the fires.

Kenticky State Fair Board President Haldo Workman has estimated the damage to be more than $1 million.