Police: Student Intentionally Set Fire Inside Red Hook High School

A 16-year-old student has been charged with arson after police say he intentionally set the fire that forced the evacuation of Red Hook High School and closed the building through at least Wednesday.

Juvenile Charged Following Fire at Red Hook High School

According to the Red Hook Police Department, the incident began around 10:15 a.m. on Friday, May 29, when the school's resource officer was alerted by a student about a possible fire in a first-floor boys' bathroom.

The officer responded and discovered smoke coming from the bathroom. Shortly afterward, the fire alarm was activated, forcing students and staff to evacuate the building at 103 W. Market St. in Red Hook.

Additional Red Hook Police officers arrived and attempted to enter the bathroom to locate and extinguish the fire, but heavy black smoke prevented them from getting inside. Firefighters were notified of the worsening conditions and arrived within minutes.

Members of the Red Hook Fire Department located the fire inside the bathroom and confirmed it had not spread to other parts of the building. Thankfully, the fire was officially extinguished by 10:45 a.m.

Investigation Leads to Arrest

The Dutchess County Fire Investigation Team determined the fire was caused by "human intervention", prompting an immediate criminal investigation by police.

Police announced that the investigation resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old male from Red Hook on Saturday afternoon. The juvenile, who was not identified, has been charged with third-degree arson and first-degree reckless endangerment, both felonies.

SEE ALSO: Custodian Allegedly Lived Inside Upstate New York School for Months

Following arraignment in Red Hook Town Court, the teen was released into the custody of a parent and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

School Remains Closed for Cleanup

While structural damage was limited to two bathroom stalls and the ceiling above them, officials said smoke spread throughout the school's main hallway and ventilation system, impacting much of the building.

Officials said that the fire originated in the first-floor boys' bathroom located off the main hallway across from the library, with the school's fire alarm sounding at approximately 10:22 a.m.

Although the fire was quickly brought under control, firefighters remained at the school until approximately 1 p.m., ventilating the building and assessing damage. As a result of the widespread smoke contamination, the district has hired a professional remediation company to clean surfaces and items throughout the building.

Red Hook High School will remain closed while cleanup efforts continue, with students shifting to virtual learning through Wednesday.