Bismark, ND - Two 17-year-old boys received juvenile citations for conspiracy to commit endangerment by fire after starting a fire in a Century High School locker.
Bismark Police Lt. Dan Donlin said the boys were cited with the Class C felonies after detectives investigated the fire that caused around $560 damage at the school.
Donlin said the boys were seen on surveillance video near the locker around the time of the fire.
Preliminary evidence suggests the fire started when too much butane was released from a lighter, followed by a flame being sparked.
The boys were turned over to the Police Youth Bureau and their cases will be handled through the juvenile court system, Donlin said.
Century High School Principal Mike Heilman said disciplinary actions for the two boys are still in the "discussion phase". "They've been suspended at this point, and whether there will be further disciplinary action is yet to be determined."
Police and fire personnel were called to the school for a report of fire in a locker shortly before noon. School administrators were able to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher before officers arrived. The fire set of smoke alarms, and students and staff were evacuated from the school. The students spent 5-10 minutes outside before being allowed back in the building. No injuries were reported from the fire. |
