2/20/2009

Ooltewah High School had to be evacuated due to a small fire in separate bathrooms.  Captain Lesley Morgan with the Chattanooga Fire Department, Fire Investigation Division said a 16 year old student was charged with setting two fires in bathrooms at the school.

Captain Morgan stated that the student had started a fire in a garbage can in the bathroom.  This fire was extinguished quickly.  The student started another fire in a separate bathroom.  The fire alarm pull station was activated, causing the schools fire alarm to be activated and the school evacuated.  This fire was also quickly extinguished. 

An investigation was conducted, and several students identified the student as the fire starter.   Upon questioning, the student admitted to setting the fires.  The student was arrested and taken to Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center for booking..  He was charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Arson, 2 counts of Reckless Endangerment and 1 count of Disrupting an Assembly.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Department SRO's Robert Stockburger and Paul Maupin as well as other members of the Chattanooga Fire Department Fire Investigation Division assisted with the investigation.  The Tri-Community Fire Department responded on this alarm for fire suppression and fire investigation.  There was minimal damage to the school reported.

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