SMYRNA, Del. - A 15-year-old student at Smyrna High School has been charged with arson after allegedly starting a fire in a school bathroom.
According to the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire was discovered Monday shortly before 11 am in a men's bathroom on the first floor of the school. A student saw smoke coming from one of the stalls and alerted staff who then activated the building’s fire alarm system and began the evacuation of the school.
Staff members and the School Resource Officer extinguished the fire using fire extinguishers, from the school, prior to the arrival of the Citizens Hose Company of Smyrna, according to the fire marshal's office.
Deputy state fire marshals responded to the scene and conducted the investigation which determined the fire to be intentionally set. On Wednesday, fire marshals took the 15-year=old student into custody, at the school, and charged him with Felony Arson 1st degree.
The juvenile was then taken to Kent County Family Court and arraigned. The student was released to his guardians on $1000. unsecured bond.
According to investigators, the fire caused more than $2500 worth of damage to the bathroom. No injuries were reported and the remainder of the school day was completed without interruption.