Student Intentionally Set Fire At Salem's Collins Middle School

SALEM, MA -- A sixth grade student allegedly set the fire in a trash barrel in one of the Collins Middle School's bathrooms, prompting an evacuation of the building on June 19. The small fire was quickly extinguished and the student was reported to school staff by other students. Fire officials were called to determine that it was safe for students to reenter the building.

Correction: A previous version of this story said school officials waited several days to report the incident to parents. Collins Middle School Principal Glenn Burns said in an email to Patch late Wednesday that parents were alerted on the same day with an email and automated phone call.

"It is our policy to communicate all incidents that impact our school immediately to our school community. We take student safety as our number one priority and only allowed students back into the building after first responders had provided the go ahead," Burns said.

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Patch file photo.