A 16-year-old male has been charged with setting a fire at Aberdeen High School Tuesday afternoon, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office.
About 25 firefighters from Aberdeen, Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Susquehanna Hose Co. in Havre de Grace responded to the school at about 1:04 p.m. for a report of a fire in a first floor boys bathroom. When they arrived, firefighters controlled the remaining fire within five minutes.
It was determined that the fire sprinkler activated and contained the blaze to the bathroom, but caused significant water damage to nearby classrooms and computer labs, causing about $10,000 in clean-up and damages, according to the state fire marshal's office.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office were assisted by the School Resource Officer from the Aberdeen Police Department and Aberdeen High School administrators with identifying the student they believe is responsible for the blaze.
The 16-year-old, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office, confessed to igniting a paper towel dispenser in the bathroom. The fire caused the school's approximately 1,400 students to be evacuated. No injuries were reported during the incident and students were dismissed at the normal time for the end of the school day.
The teen was charged with first and second degree arson, first and second degree malicious burning, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property over $500, reckless endangerment and disrupting school operations. He was released to the custody of his father pending action by the Department of Juvenile Services.