North Penn Fire Damages Could Be North Of $1 Million: DA

LANSDALE, PA -- The destructive fire that caused North Penn High School to be evacuated on May 24 may have incurred more than $1 million in damages, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

The fire, which was intentionally set by a student, was started in the music wing of the school.

>>Fire Raged, and the North Penn Band Played On

The student, 17, has been identified, arrested, and is now being detained at the Montgomery County Youth Center, the DA said.

A motive remains unclear.

Because the student is a juvenile, the DA's office noted, he cannot be identified. This is prohibited by the Pennsyvlania Juvenile Act.

The fire did structural damage to the music wing of the building, and the full extent of the fire's damage is still being assessed. 

The student will be charged with multiple felonies, according to the DA.

"This was a very serious fire. Multiple fire companies and police departments responded, and it took some time to put out," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement Friday. "The fire caused extensive structural and smoke damage that will affect the school in a significant financial way."

>>North Penn Evacuated After Fire

Altogether, around 3,000 students and staff were evacuated, and school was dismissed for the rest of the day.

The student will be charged with several counts of arson, institutional vandalism, criminal mischief, risking catastrophe, reckless endangerment, and possession of an instrument of crime, authorities stated.

District personnel and a restoration company launched a clean-up in the affected area of the school, the district said.

The fire caused damage to the band storage area and classrooms on the first floor and smoke exposure to a large portion of the building, according to Towamencin police.

School personnel have walled off the hallway leading to the area where the fire occurred, according to a statement

>>North Penn Fire Intentionally Set By Student: DA