Local News in Brief : Students Flee School Fire
An arson fire at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra sent nearly 1,000 students and teachers scurrying for safety Friday and caused at least $500,000 damage, authorities said. Two teen-agers, both Mark Keppel students, were arrested on suspicion of arson after the 9:15 a.m. blaze, which gutted part of the drama department, Alhambra Police Lt. Rockey Caringello said.
Alhambra Fire Department arson investigator Capt. Bruce Stedman said “incendiary devices” were found in a first-floor trash can and in a second floor classroom in the main school building.
No students or teachers were injured in the evacuation, but five firefighters suffered minor injuries before the blaze was contained.
“When you’re talking about 1,000 kids, it’s very dangerous to have a fire of this magnitude,” Stedman said.
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