ORANGE : Chapman Security Car Is Set Ablaze

A Chapman University security car was set ablaze early Thursday morning, temporarily leaving the campus without a street vehicle for its security officers.

Campus spokeswoman Donna Goldwasser said the 1990 Ford, parked in Chapman’s main parking lot at Sycamore and Glassell streets, was doused with gasoline and set on fire about 2:30 a.m. There were no injuries.

A student reported the blaze, which was doused by security personnel with fire extinguishers by the time the Orange Fire Department arrived minutes later. The Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire and is seeking suspects.

Goldwasser said school officials believe that the arson was unrelated to the recent rioting in Los Angeles or to any campus protest. It was the first such incident reported on campus in at least eight years.

The car was the only street vehicle used by Chapman security, Goldwasser said. Golf carts are the primary form of transportation for security officers on the campus grounds.