Generic handcuff
PALO ALTO – A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of setting a fire that heavily damaged two classrooms at a Palo Alto community center, police said Tuesday.
Firefighters were first called just after midnight Sunday to the Cubberley Community Center at 4000 Middlefield Road for a report of a fire alarm, according to the Palo Alto Police Department. They checked the area but did not find a fire.
Roughly 50 minutes later, a passerby reported seeing and smelling smoke at the community center, police said. Firefighters returned and found a fire burning in the B-wing.
Crews contained the blaze. No injuries were reported.
An initial investigation revealed the fire had been set adjacent to a pair of classrooms operated by the Palo Alto Unified School District for post-secondary classes, according to police. The fire then spread and severely damaged the classrooms.
Police and fire investigators, along with district officials, identified a 16-year-old boy as a suspect in the case, police said. He was arrested around 9:05 p.m. Monday at Greer Park at 1098 Amarillo Road and booked into Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on a charge of arson.
The teen is also suspected of lighting a small fire on a picnic table around 3:30 a.m. Monday at Ohlone Elementary School at 950 Amarillo Ave., according to police. The fire, which was discovered after it burned itself out, did not cause extensive damage.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.
Originally published at Jason Green