WEST FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office investigation of flooding that swamped parts of Bonanzaville in West Fargo with more than 200,000 gallons of water has determined it may not have been vandalism as originally thought.
Detective Lance Kitzan says “all our evidence leans toward human error but we can’t rule that out 100% either.”
Kitzan says city records show water was turned on inside the South Pleasant Church December 24th for a Christmas Eve celebration but was not shut off until January 6th when a Bonanzaville employee discovered water pouring from the two outdoor spigots. Kitzan says it’s possible the spigots were left open by accident when water was shut off in the building as it was winterized in October, but there’s no way to confirm that.
Kitzan also says there were no signs anyone had entered the museum complex which is surrounded by security fence topped with barbed wire and security camera’s did not find anything suspicious.
Bonanzaville Executive Director Brenda Warren calls the findings “inconclusive” and agrees the reason for the flooding may never by determined.
The flooding created sheets of ice three to four inches deep and the flooding may have damaged the foundations of several historic buildings. That led to a fund drive to defray the cost of repairs, clean-up and a nearly $1,900 water bill.
