A fire caused by arson rekindled over the weekend -- causing about $10,000 in damage to a classroom at Montera Middle School on Ascot Drive in Montclair.
Fire investigators say that the initial fire in Room 213 -- on Thursday after school -- was deliberately set, according to Deputy Chief Ron Carter of the Oakland Fire Department. It rekindled on Saturday, he said.
At about 6 a.m. Saturday, firefighters put out the blaze with three fire engines and one truck.
Fire investigators and Montera Principal Cheryl Rodby are speaking with students in order to ascertain who set Thursday's blaze, Carter said.
Students were evacuated from the building immediately after the blaze started Thursday afternoon, while teachers and staff put out the fire, according to a letter Rodby sent to Montera parents Friday.
After-school classes were dismissed for the rest of the day.
Earlier this year, one of Montera's portable classrooms was damaged in an early morning fire on Sunday, June 20.
The Montclarion asked Montera assistant principal Joe Salamack for further details about the fires. Salamack said that district policy prohibits Montera administrators from speaking with the press.
Calls to the district were not returned Monday.
