Penn State University Police are investigating a possible connection between a fire that occurred outside Brumbaugh Hall early yesterday morning and one that occurred in a Pinchot Hall elevator April 2.

At about 2 a.m. yesterday, a university staff member reported a stack of newspapers on fire outside of Brumbaugh Hall.

The fire was not endangering any people or property, and firefighters were not called since those present were able to extinguish it, university police Supervisor Clifford Lutz said.

"Our concern is to see if this is in any way related to the other fire -- if there's any similarities between this and the one in Pinchot Hall," Lutz said.

A burning stack of newspapers scorched a 3-foot-by-3-foot area in a Pinchot Hall elevator at about 5 a.m. April 2, sending smoke onto the floors of the building, which had to be evacuated.

About 320 residents, most of whom are freshmen, live in Pinchot Hall.

University police have said they increased their presence in the East Halls residence area since the Pinchot Hall incident.

Asked yesterday about the effectiveness of the increase, Lutz said, "I don't know how you measure how police presence is effective at this time. Our concern is life safety of the residents of East Halls."

University police classify yesterday morning's fire outside Brumbaugh Hall as criminal mischief, unlike the Pinchot Hall elevator fire, which is classified as arson. "This one was outside and away from the building. It's not legally classified as arson at this time," Lutz said.

He said the Office of Housing told him all newspaper racks have been removed from Pinchot Hall for the remainder of this semester. He said he was not sure if newspaper racks would be removed from Brumbaugh Hall.

Officials from housing could not be reached for comment by press time yesterday regarding the newspaper removal.