Jan. 18--CENTERVILLE--The fire at Centerville High School on Thursday, Jan. 9, that led to evacuation and school being canceled for a week is now being described as arson, according to a press release by the Centerville Police Department issued on Friday.
Alec James Brown, 14, of Centerville was charged with first-degree arson, a class B felony, and first-degree criminal mischief, a class C felony, after investigation into the fire led to new information being uncovered by the Centerville Police.
It was initially stated that the fire was started by an electrical outlet malfunction that caught a couch on fire in the teacher's lounge at the high school, but further investigations uncovered evidence that led to Brown's arrest.
Classes at Centerville High School resumed on Thursday after a week break due to smoke and debris clean-up.
According to the CPD press release, Brown was transferred to a juvenile detention facility. He will remain there until future court proceedings can be filed.
-- To see reporter Josh Vardaman's Twitter feed, go to @CourierJosh
Copyright 2014 - Ottumwa Courier, Iowa
