ALBANY - Albany officials say they suspect arson in a pre-dawn fire that forced Dougherty County Middle School's 950 students to miss a day of classes. <br>
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The fire spotted by a motorist at about 2 a.m. Monday caused $175,000 in damage. <br>
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Deputy Fire Chief James Carswell says the fire started in books -- boxed and temporarily stored in a hallway. <br>
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Carswell says a preliminary investigation found no possible accidental causes for the fire. The fire was confined to the hall and the roof above the hall. <br>
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Students return to class Tuesday -- following a daylong cleanup. <br>
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The Dougherty County School system begins a two-week Christmas break on Thursday, but Dougherty Middle School students will have to return for a half day to make up semester exams they missed Monday.
