4/9/2008

Chattanooga firefighters responded to a fire alarm at Hixson High School this morning around 9:00.  By the time they arrived, the school had already been evacuated, but there was no fire.  The firefighters discovered a "light haze" in one of the portable classrooms but quickly determined that someone had discharged a portable fire extinguisher, which activated the building's fire alarm system.

Lieutenant Anthony Moore with the Fire Investigation Division was called to the scene and after a brief investigation, arrested a 15-year-old male student at the school.  The student confessed to the crime, saying he was just "playing around."

Lt. Moore said the student did not realize the seriousness of his offense until it was explained to him.  "In addition to making a mess in the portable classroom and disrupting classes at the school, he also endangered the lives of the firefighters and motorists on the street," said Moore.  "We had six fire engines that responded here as quickly as they could with lights and sirens on, so there's always the risk of an accident on the way there."

The student was charged with reckless endangerment and making a false report (false alarm), and then transported to the Juvenile Detention Center for booking.  Fire Investigator Henry McElvain and Chattanooga police also assisted with the arrest.

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