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New Castle Arson Case May Be Connected To High School Football Stadium Fire

NEW CASTLE (KDKA) -- A second arson in Lawrence County may be related to a destructive fire at the high school football stadium.

Late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, callers to 911 reported heavy smoke coming from the field in New Castle.

"On closer inspection, we could see those things were foam taken from the goalposts and foam taken from the five-man sled that was sliced out, placed on the turf, and then lit on fire," said New Castle Area School District Superintendent John Sarandrea

Damage to Taggart Stadium alone is estimated at $4,300.

Shortly before that blaze, Ashley Sambro got a frantic knock on her door from the fire department. Flames were shooting out of her backyard because someone set fire to her trampoline.

"My peace is gone," said Sambro. "You never know whose back here or what they're doing. My kids are upset cause their trampoline is gone. They did nothing to anybody."

Sambro's neighbor has surveillance cameras mounted on his home. Police are looking at footage that reportedly shows two young males setting that fire.

The superintendent says the school has a good idea who the culprits are.

"Obviously, we take this as a serious matter," said Sarandrea.

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