WVU fans riot after big win over Va. Tech

(Morgantown, West Virginia-AP) Oct. 23, 2003 -- Some rowdy college football fans lit dozens of fires and caused other damage early today in Morgantown, West Virginia. The violence followed West Virginia University's win over Virginia Tech.

No one was seriously injured, but authorities report 20 arrests. Emergency officials say people set nearly 60 fires and describe a dozen of them as "sizable." County officials say they were considering cutting off power to the area after at least one fire came dangerously close to power lines. Another fire twisted the metal on a car.

One student says people were burning couches, mattresses and recliners.

The streets are littered with broken glass and bottle rockets. Firecrackers went off continually. One police car was partly covered with shaving cream, as students with video cameras recorded the violence. Rocks and bottles were thrown at police and firefighters.

Inside the stadium, police pepper-sprayed fans who tried to tear down the goal posts.

Posted 9:54am by BrettWitt