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Officials say blaze at former WIBW building, “arson”

TOPEKA (AP) – Topeka fire officials say a fire that destroyed the former WIBW-TV and Radio building was arson.

The fire was reported Thursday evening at the vacant building. One firefighter was hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Fire investigators say the fire started in the attic or exterior roof of the building, which was scheduled to be torn down.

WIBW-TV 13 aired its first broadcast from the building when it went on the air Nov. 15, 1953. WIBW-AM began using the building a few years later, when the TV and radio operations were purchased by Stauffer Communications.

In 2001, WIBW-AM-FM moved to a new building and WIBW-TV built a new studio.

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