Arson Suspected in St. Paul Community Center Fire

Authorities said a fire that damaged the Conway Community Center in St. Paul over the weekend was likely set on purpose.

The St. Paul Fire Department responded to the fire in the early morning hours= Monday and quickly extinguished it, according to the St. Paul Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

The city-owned center at 2090 Conway St. is managed by nonprofit The Sanneh Foundation.

Sanneh Foundation spokesman Tod Herskovitz told the Star Tribune that the smoke and fire damage will make the building usable for up to four weeks. The extent of the damage is being evaluated by the insurance carrier.

St. Paul parks, schools, and libraries have offered alternative locations for youth programming.

"We're resolved to put on programming without interruption,” Herskovitz said. “It's a challenge, and we're adapting. But it's obvious that our community can be incredibly resilient and also as you see incredibly supportive. It's our responsibility to provide the programs that youth and families rely on us for.

A recovery fund has been set up to help.