By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A fire alarm at W.F. West High School in Chehalis yesterday sent students outside and drew firefighters, and subsequently police who are investigating an arson.
Smoke filled the boys’ bathroom and drifted into the adjacent commons area, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.
Fire Investigator Derrick Paul said a janitor used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out, before leaving the building.
The fire department called at 1:05 p.m. summoned police and, along with the school resource officer, they spent about two hours investigating at the scene, he said.
It appeared someone ignited the plastic bag that contained the soap in a dispenser, he said. The damage was limited to maybe about $700 for cleanup, but the potential for something much worse was there, Paul said.
The walls are masonry, but the ceiling is not.
“It could have been bad, there’s a reason we’re investigating for a criminal act,” Paul said. “This didn’t just affect one person; it disrupted school for an hour and put the kids outside in the cold and rain.”
Because the school has cameras, investigators have two suspects, Paul said this morning.
Nobody was arrested, yet, he said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter