Possible arson at Chelsea Campus High

Firefighters responded to Chelsea Campus High School at Sixth Ave. and Broome St. on Mon., March 26, around 1 p.m., and the school was evacuated, after a 4-foot-long poster on the school’s third floor was set afire. The blaze was small and quickly extinguished by firefighters. There was minimal damage and no injuries.

Engine 24 and Ladder 5 from the W. Houston St. firehouse responded.

Chief John Plant of Battalion 22 said the fire was started right after the students re-entered the school after a fire drill. Plant said it’s likely it was set by one of the students with a cigarette lighter or a match.

“His intent was probably just to be funny,” Plant said. “But it could have been serious. Big fires start from small fires…. And you’re afraid kids might panic” and stampede, risking injury, he added.

The Fire Marshal was investigating, Plant said, adding that charges likely would be serious if anyone was caught.

However, he said, “You can prove something’s arson — but it’s hard to prove who did it.”

Lincoln Anderson