By Gary Lloyd
CLAY — A 17-year-old Clay-Chalkville High School student has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection with a fire that started in the school Wednesday.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Christian said the student was transported to the Jefferson County Youth Detention Facility. The name of the student is being withheld due to his age.
Just before noon Wednesday, deputies responded to a report of a fire in a restroom at Clay-Chalkville High School. A custodian was transported to an area hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. A teacher was treated on the scene, Christian said. Students were evacuated from the school as a precaution.
A toilet paper dispenser had been set on fire, causing smoke damage to the restroom, Christian said. A male teen was seen on surveillance footage entering and exiting the restroom just before the fire was discovered. Deputies identified the student and took him into custody.
The student admitted to starting the fire, telling deputies he did it because he “wanted to see what would happen,” Christian said. He also said that, after setting the fire, he flushed the lighter down the toilet.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
