Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes leader calls fires a 'heinous act'


A maintenance building was completed destroyed by fire. Photo from Facebook

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating a series of fires that struck three buildings owned by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.

The fires were set early Tuesday morning. A maintenance building was completely destroyed and two other buildings -- including the tribal court and the tribal newspaper -- were damaged.

“This is a cowardly, heinous act,” Gov. Eddie Hamilton said, according to news reports. ”It was a devastation to us.”


A photo of the tanker truck that was driven into another tribal building. Photo from Facebook

Additionally, someone rammed a large tanker truck into another tribal building. The vehicle, which was not owned by the tribe and was reported stolen, was found in a nearby ravine.

Get the Story:
Officials: Early morning fires in Concho ruled 'suspicious' (KOCO 2/3)
Fire destroys tribal building, damages two other structures (KFOR 2/3)
Cheyenne and Arapaho governor calls fires an attack on tribe (The Oklahoman 2/4)

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Fires strike buildings owned by Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (2/3)

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