WA Radio: Three Stations Return To Air After Suspicious Fire

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Three Kennewick, WA-area radio stations owned by Jim Ingstad were knocked off the air Saturday by what officials are calling a suspicious fire.

The early morning fire burned a 'signal transmitter station' used by KJOX 1340 AM ESPN, KUJ 99.1 FM/Power and KEGX 106.5 FM/Eagle, according to the Tri-City Herald.

Radio technicians who arrived at the facility north of Kamiakin High School in Kennewick found there had been a fire inside the mechanical building and evidence of forced entry through two fences and the building, officials said.

KUJ 99.1 FM (52Kw) 60dBu Coverage

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The fire had extinguished itself by the time the technicians arrived and was limited to the inside of the brick building.

Technicians were working to make repairs after significant damage was caused to electrical transmission equipment, officials said.

A message on the Eagle 106.5 Facebook page said the fire appears to be vandalism and possibly arson. The message said no one was injured and they hope to be back on the air later Saturday.