A student is facing felony charges after allegedly setting a trash can on fire at Providence Elementary School, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of students.
According to the Providence Police Department, they were notified of a fire alarm activation at the school and when officers arrived they discovered a trash can burning on the front lawn of the elementary school. Police reported that the trash can had initially been in a bathroom and was removed from the school by a staff member as all 300 students were evacuated.
Police reported that the Providence Fire Department promptly arrived, extinguished the burning trash can, and cleared the remaining smoke from inside the school.
After the school administration identified the student suspect in the arson, the student was interviewed by police who said they determined the fire was set intentionally. The student was then detained for further questioning, and subsequently charged with first-degree arson and first-degree wanton endangerment.
Police said no injuries were reported and the name of the student will not be released at this time.
