Four East Union High School sports vans were torched in the Agricultural Department compound shortly after midnight Thursday morning with flames leaping some 20 feet into the night sky.
    Neighbors reported hearing explosions as the vehicles became fully involved in flames and with exploding tires from full gas tanks at the North Union Road school.
    Manteca Police public information Officer Jason Hensley said the incident is now an active arson investigation and noted that police and fire personnel are following leads in the case.
    The value of the vehicles that were used to transport student athletes to sporting events throughout the year exceeds $100,000, according to officials on the scene.
    A chain link fence had been cut to provide access to the compound and cloth wicks were inserted into the filler necks of the gas tanks and set afire.  Four of the school’s seven vans were destroyed – all but one were 2005 Fords.
    Anyone with information on the responsible individuals are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 823-4636 and remain anonymous and become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.