Juvenile 'Fesses Up To Starting Fire In Benicia Library Restroom: Police

A juvenile who admitted starting a fire in a bathroom at the Benicia Library Tuesday was taken into custody and later released to his parents later in the day, Fire Chief Jim Lydon said today.

The Benicia Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in a library restroom at 4:10 p.m. Tuesday. The library at 150 L St. was evacuated and a small fire limited to a paper dispenser was extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher, Lydon said.

The library reopened when firefighters used a portable blower to remove smoke and reset the fire alarm.

It was obvious the fire was intentionally set, and police and firefighters reviewed surveillance video and identified the suspects who entered the restroom before the fire started, Lydon said. The juvenile suspects were still in the area and were interviewed by police officers.

One of the juveniles admitted lighting the fire and was taken into custody and later released, Lydon said.

--Bay City News