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Student charged in blaze; $2.5 million damage at Bear Creek High

By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 30, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated April 30, 2008 at 5:55 a.m.

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Arson charges were filed against one of two students accused of starting a fire at Bear Creek High School last week, police announced Tuesday.

The 15-year-old student is being charged as a juvenile. His next court day is May 14.

The suspect, who is not being named, is facing one count of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson, one count of fourth-degree arson and one count of criminal mischief.

The other suspect, also a 15-year-old student, has not been charged yet but the Jefferson County district attorney's office has until June 11 to file charges.

A two-alarm fire broke out at 11:52 a.m. last Tuesday in the gym of Bear Creek High School, forcing the evacuation of 1,850 students. One student with asthma was taken to the hospital after an axiety attack, but the rest of the students were sent home. No class was being held in the gym at the time.

Officials estimated that the school suffered $2.5 million damage. The gym was gutted and there was extensive smoke damage to the rest of the school.

Bear Creek High School was partially opened Tuesday, with students splitting schedules.

Comments

  • April 30, 2008

    12:52 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    angryman1n writes:

    Okay... admittedly I'm no fire expert, but seems to me like a two alarm fire would be somewhat hard to start by accident.

    So, damn skippy, charge him. Send him to juvie. Teach him some good skills. Get him a good job. Force community service. Then garnish his familys $500/month for the next 20yrs. It won't make up the $2.5M, but will certainly hurt.

    And advertise punishment. That way the other young punks that are thinking about this same shat will think twice. (also, allows potential for quiet mercy later.)

  • April 30, 2008

    7:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    randyj01 writes:

    What is "axiety"?

  • April 30, 2008

    2:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    Well how far we have come.Now some spoiled rotten little arsonist strikes again.I bet mommy and daddy are out getting him more cheesy poofs and a box of matches.This kid needs more then being charged for a arson.He needs to go to juvie,and also he needs to be identified so everybody can keep a eye on the little fire bug.His parents need to get some help.Because they are not doing so well with raising this kid.