By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – Authorities have charged a Humboldt Middle School student with Arson in connection with an April 14th bathroom fire at the middle school.
The Humboldt Middle School student, not identified by authorities, was charged with Arson, a class C felony.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office says on April 14 at approximately 8 a.m., a fire was reported inside a bathroom at Humboldt Middle School located at 1400 Wildcat Road. Students and staff were promptly evacuated from the building and a staff member was able to retrieve a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. The Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department responded on scene as a precaution.
A post from the Humboldt Community Schools Facebook page on April 14th said the small fire was in the fifth and sixth grade bathroom at the school. Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Gronbach told KHBT-FM that a toilet paper dispenser caught fire within the bathroom and there was no significant damage from the fire.
An investigation by administrators at Humboldt Middle School and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office uncovered evidence that supported the fire was set intentionally, leading to the identification of a suspect.
The middle school student was released to the custody of a parent and will be summoned into juvenile court at a later date.
The Humboldt Police Department and Humboldt County Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation.