North Penn HS Fire Intentionally Set By Student: DA

LANSDALE, PA -- The fire at North Penn High School on Tuesday which led to an evacuation was intentionally set by a student, the Montgomery County District Attorney said Friday.

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 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."

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

The suspect was identified and caught after a rapid investigation by Towamencin Township Police, fire investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit, and the DA's office.

Officials worked closely with North Penn School District Security and staff to find the student they believed to be responsible, Towamencin police said.

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.

School did open on schedule the Wednesday morning after the blaze, but the precise extent of the damage done to the school is not yet known.

District personnel and a restoration company have begun 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:

This process will permit fire investigators to finalize their work which will then permit personnel to remove all affected materials and begin reconstruction in the area. This will be a lengthy process and in the interim, an odor will likely be detectable. We again would like to thank our students, staff and emergency responders for their quick action this afternoon. We also thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. We will continue to provide updates as they become available through School Messenger and www.npenn.org

Flames first broke out at about 11:33 a.m. It is believed the fire started in the band room.

Two alarms were rung for the blaze, and the entire school was evacuated.

No injuries were reported in the incident.