Louisiana Student Arrested on Arson Charge

May 19, 2011

Gonzales Police have arrested a 16-year-old East Ascension High School student accused of starting a fire in a garbage can in a girls restroom.

Police say firefighters quickly extinguished the fire the girl allegedly started Wednesday shortly before 11:13 a.m. but the fire caused extensive damage to the restroom.

Students were evacuated and classes briefly interrupted after fire alarms went off.

The student, a freshman whose name was not released, was booked with one count of aggravated arson, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for adults. Police say she told detectives she started the fire because of a grudge she had against three other girls at the school.

School district spokesman Johnnie Balfantz told The Advocate no other buildings were damaged.

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.