Just as life was beginning to get back to normal at Seton Hall University comes a published report that the fatal fire here last month was not just a tragic accident. Instead, it was a deliberate act of mayhem, reports News 2's David Diaz.
The Newark Star-Ledger reports that investigators have concluded that it was arson that caused the fire in Boland Hall which killed three students and injured 58 others.
On Thursday, students and staff reacted to that report.
"These people have to be pretty sick," said Scott Schroeder, a Seton Hall student. "To set a fire to freshman dorm."
"Whoever did this made a mistake," said Cathy Trajer, who works at the school. "Even if they did it intentionally, I don't think they could have met to hurt anyone and I feel sorry for them."
The Essex County Prosecutor would not comment on the newspaper's report, or by its additional claim that the investigation is now focusing on four non-students. Three of them were in Boland Hall that night and were asked to leave after there was some dispute between them and students in the dorm.
The resident advisor who asked the trio to leave, Dana Christmas, remains in University Hospital with severe burns in critical condition.
She has not yet been questioned by investigators.
On Tuesday, a man was charged with making a terroristic threat to the school via computer.
Rivano Andika, 25, a Canadian citizen living in Jersey City and considered a computer specialist, was accused of sending an email the day after the fire warning "if you thought this fire was bad, wait 'til you see the next."
It was unclear why Andika had sent the email, as there was no information linking him either to the fire or the university itself.
He remained in Essex County Jail Tuesday night because he did not post $50,000 bail. If convicted, he could spend up to five years in prison.


