Police: Fire at Bethlehem High School was intentional
BETHLEHEM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 16-year-old was arrested in connection to the April 23rd fire at Bethlehem High School forcing students to evacuate. NEWS10 spoke with law enforcement, parents and their kids to find out more on what happened and what's next for the teenager who was arrested.
“The alarm goes off and we rushed outside of the building. We didn't know what was happening. We thought it was a drill, or something,” said 11th grader, Romero Ambria.
Investigators now believe that the fire was started intentionally. “Once officers and firemen started dropping the ceiling they were able to determine there was an intentional fire that had been set,” said Deputy Chief James Rexford of the Bethlehem Police Department.
Police say the student is accused of starting a fire in the bathroom and the C-wing of the building immediately had to be evacuated. What was originally said to be a faulty vent fan has now been determined to be arson. “If someone died, it would have been a different story. But everyone was safe. He did something stupid, but there was not really too much of a consequence to it,” said Romero.
When speaking to Romero's father, he said he wants to know more about what happened. “I hope that we get a better explanation especially from the school about exactly what happened, and I hope they take steps to make sure something like this doesn't happen again,” said his father, Daniel Ambria.
However, both father and son feel the same when it comes to the future of the kid who started the fire. “We're just kids you know we're kind of dumb so if we do dumb stuff don't like, hold our future selves accountable,” Romero said. His father followed saying, “I don't think they should be punished to the full extent of the law, but I definitely think steps need to be taken.”
The suspect has been arraigned in court and released to the supervision of the Albany County Probation Department. Rexford said, “We arrested a 16-year-old juvenile that was a Bethlehem student. He was taken to Albany County Family Court for arraignment.”
The teen is facing several charges: first-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, all three felony counts. And endangering the welfare of a child.
Attorney Eric Schillinger said the teen could face up to a maximum of a two-year placement in a juvenile delinquent facility or alternatively probation or even community service.
A letter sent to the home of the parents from the districts says they also conduct a district investigation when an allegation of this nature is made. Any student found to have threatened the school community's safety will be subject to discipline according to the district’s Code of Conduct.”