An Anderson fire chief told News Channel 7’s Carmen Coursey that a 13- and 14-year-old have been charged with second degree arson for attempting to set fire to Homeland Park Elementary.
According to an incident report, it happened around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Homeland Park firefighters were responding to a fire alarm at the school, and when deputies got there, they found two gallons of diesel fuel at on of the back doors to the school. Investigators also found a partially lit piece of paper in the fuel.
Deputies say several doors were unlocked. The fuel was found near a storage area that housed the hot water heater and large breaker boxes. Deputies say the cover had been ripped off the box that contained all of the wires that would cut the lights off inside the school. The fire alarm had been pulled in the storage area.
A pink and blue child's bookbag was found with part of the contents emptied onto the playground. The only item left inside was a teddy bear. Investigators believe it was taken from inside the school.
The chief told us they are trying to determine if the pair could be responsible for other, smaller fires in the area.
A representative with the Sheriff’s Department says they may face other charges.
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