Nipomo Recreation Center Arson Investigation

Arson now suspected in Nipomo recreation center blaze

NIPOMO - The two-alarm fire broke out about 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the former Nipomo Recreation Center building, which had been recently sold and was currently vacant.
Thirty firefighters from several departments battled the blaze before it was contained about 11 p.m..

Investigation: Investigators are pursuing a number of leads in the suspected arson fire that destroyed the building last week, but won’t reveal any information about the case. At the time of the fire, investigators said the origin of the fire, which did an estimated $1 million in damage, was suspicious, now it is a suspected arson fire.

“We’re working on all the leads we can,” said Jane Schmitz, spokeswoman for Cal Fire/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. “I can’t tell you any more because it would compromise our investigation. I would like to, but I can’t.”

Suspects: Last week, Cal Fire investigators said they were searching for four teenagers a witness reported seeing flee the area just before the fire began.
The teens were described as 14 to 17 years old. Two wore white T-shirts and two wore black T-shirts underneath hooded sweatshirts.

Note: The two-story, 9,700-square-foot former recreation center was built with community donations and operated by Nipomo Recreation Association until the land was sold for $2.3 million by the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education.
It was slated to become a health club in the proposed Nipomo Commons mixed-use development on the site until the health club was recently eliminated from the plans.