This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
An intentionally set fire Thursday morning forced the evacuation of hundreds of students and staff at Freedom Elementary School in Highland.
The Lone Peak Fire Department, which covers Highland and neighboring Alpine, said the blaze was reported about 8 a.m. By 8:45 a.m., firefighters had confirmed any danger had passed. No injuries were reported, and damage was characterized as minimal.
Alpine School District officials confirmed two very small fires were set Thursday morning: one in a boy's restroom where toilet paper was ignited, and another on the school's stage involving foam padding. By the time firefighters had arrived, both fires had been doused by the custodial staff.
In a statement on the district's website, officials said students were evacuated to an LDS Church building across the street from the school at 10326 N. 6800 West.
The school enrolls 1,200 students who attend in morning and afternoon sessions in roughly equal divisions of about 600.
Firefighters ventilated the building, and students were returned to class by 9:15 a.m.
Lone Peak police told the Daily Herald that a fourth-grade boy had taken admitted to setting the fires. He has been referred to the 4th District's juvenile justice system for possible charges.
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