Arson At Ira Jones: Boy, 14, Admitted To Lighting Fire

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield police described the fire in a first-floor bathroom at Richard Ira Jones Middle School, 15320 W. Wallin Drive, as an arson, and said a 14-year-old boy admitted to starting the blaze — and attempting to put it out.

Plainfield Fire Chief Jon Stratton said firefighters were called to the school at 8:11 a.m. Tuesday. The Plainfield School District Director of Community Relations Tom Hernandez said the fire was "suspicious in nature."

Plainfield police said the fire was contained to a boys' bathroom on the building's first floor.

Police said they identified a 14-year-old student as the person who started the fire. During an interview with police, he admitted to using a lighter to ignite a paper towel in a dispenser.

The boy told believe he believed he had extinguished the fire before leaving the bathroom and returning to class. A short time later, the fire alarm went off.

Criminal charges are pending in the incident, police said.

No one was injured, and all students were evacuated from the building and were taken to the nearby YMCA, Stratton said.

After a little less than two hours at the YMCA, students are returning to the school to get their belongings. Hernandez said they will work with teachers outside until the end of the school day at noon.

The fire activated the school's sprinkler system, and it was quickly brought under control, according to officials.

"There's a lot of smoke in the building, a lot of water," Stratton said. Fire crews conducted smoke evacuation at the building.

Stratton said officials were working to determine the full extent of the damage to one wing of the school.

Check back with Patch for updates on this developing story.