Crime & Safety
SMC Middle School Fire On Halloween Investigated As Possible Arson
Police said there was evidence of gasoline being poured in the area.
HILLSBOROUGH, CA — A small fire that was reported on Saturday at a Hillsborough middle school is being investigated by authorities in San Mateo County as a potential case of arson.
The fire was reported at about 6:35 p.m. on Halloween by a person who noticed smoke coming from a paved yard at Crocker Middle School, in the 2600 block of Ralston Avenue, according to a statement on Sunday from the Hillsborough Police Department.
Police found a pile of plastic and metal springs on fire near the North School multi-purpose room at the adjacent elementary school campus. Officers were able to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher.
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No injuries were reported. Police said there was evidence of gasoline being poured in the area.
Firefighters from the Central County Fire Department were also called to the scene. The Police Department said the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad and CCFD's arson investigator are also helping with the investigation.
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Anyone with information about the fire was asked to contact the Hillsborough Police Department at (650) 375-7470 or police@hillsborough.net.
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