Student Starts Fire Inside Natick High School Locker Room: Police

NATICK, MA — A student set a fire in the boys' locker room at Natick High School Friday afternoon, forcing the evacuating of 50 students and staff, according to police.

Superintendent Anna Nolin said the fire was discovered after high school dismissal and during preschool pickup at 2:50 p.m. School staff immediately pulled the fire alarm, extinguished the flames and had the building evacuated.

"The Natick Fire Department and the Natick Police Department responded immediately and professionally," Nolin said in a statement. "We appreciate the hard work of our first responders, today and every day. The building has been reopened for student and staff use."

Nolin said the fire was "deliberately set" by a student.

"The police are conducting a complete investigation for possible criminal charges," Nolin said. "We are furious and very disappointed. We are a strong and vibrant community that looks out for one another. After two very long years of isolation, we are determined to reclaim our culture of togetherness, safety and respect."

Anyone with information about the fire was asked to report it to the following anonymous tip line.