[Press Release] : Afternoon fire at Oakland Junior High School; two arrested on arson charges

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp - (573) 874-7557

Afternoon fire at Oakland Junior High School; two arrested on arson
charges 

COLUMBIA, MO (December 6, 2005) -- Columbia firefighters responded to a
report of a fire alarm at Oakland Junior High School, 3405 Oakland
Place, at 2:02 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5. Upon arrival, firefighters
discovered the fire was out but smoke was still in the building. The
fire was discovered in and contained to a trash can in a lower level
girl's restroom. 

The school was evacuated when the alarm sounded. There were no injuries
to students, faculty, staff or firefighters. 

Fire damage was confined to the restroom and trash can. Fire
investigators estimate the damage at $1,000. 

Fire investigators believed the fire was set and began to interview
students and faculty in the area of the restroom where the fire
originated. Fire investigators also were able to view video from
security cameras located in the school. The new security camera's are
digital quality and cover hallways and other public areas around the
school. Fire investigators were able to identify two suspects in the
video on the security cameras. 

After interviews with the juvenile suspects, both were arrested on
charges of 1st degree arson. Arson in the first degree occurs when a
fire is intentionally set in an occupied building and the lives of the
occupants are endangered. 

Both juveniles were remanded to the custody of juvenile authorities. 

- 30 -
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