Three Maryland School Fires Being Investigated As Arson

May 19, 2004
Three fires set at county schools are being investigated as arsons, according to Prince George's County fire officials.

Three fires set over the weekend at county schools are being investigated as arsons, according to Prince George's County fire officials.

A fire was set at 9:45 p.m. Sunday at Potomac High School in Oxon Hill. The fire department was called to the building by an automatic alarm. When firefighters arrived, they found a fire in a first-floor computer classroom.

It took about 20 minutes to bring the flames under control. There were no injuries and damage was estimated at between $500 and $1,000. Department spokesman Mark Brady said police are also investigating a break-in at the school.

On Friday night at about 11:30 p.m., two fires were set at Flowers High School in Springdale. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a temporary classroom building on fire, along with another fire in a storage room inside the gym, which was put out by the school sprinkler system. The damage estimates are placed at $50,000.

Additionally, fire officials said a teenage boy was arrested Thursday at Flowers High and charged with first-degree arson for a locker fire. Investigators said they do not yet know whether the cases are related.

Anyone that may have information about these fires can contact the Arson Hotline at 301-77-ARSON.

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