A 12-year-old was arrested on Tuesday following a fire at an elementary school in Jeanerette.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) says they arrested the student for allegedly setting a fire in a St. Charles Street Elementary school bathroom while classes were underway.
They say the girl was charged with one count of Aggravated Arson.
Around 9:00 a.m. on February 23, the Jeanerette Fire Department requested the assistance of the SFM in investigating a fire at an elementary school located in the 1900 block of St. Charles Street.
SFM says the school conducted a successful evacuation of the 300 students and staff present. Damage was limited to a melted toilet paper dispenser in a girls restroom. Following an assessment of the scene, the fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
After review of school surveillance video, the 12-year-old girl was identified and taken into custody.
In an interview with deputies, the girl allegedly admitted to setting the fire with a lighter she had in her possession. How she accessed the lighter is still under investigation, agents say.
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