2 teens arrested in Belfast High threat, fire

BELFAST – Police have arrested two students accused of setting fire to a boys restroom last Wednesday at Belfast Area High School.

According to a release provided by Officer Bryan Cunningham, a questionnaire filled out by students was key to the arrests.

The boys, one age 15 and the other 16, were taken late Friday to the Charleston Youth Center, and they will be charged with both the fire and a bomb threat that occurred the day before.

The bomb threat and the fire occurred in the same second-floor restroom. The bomb threat was reported about 9 a.m. Tuesday, and students were evacuated to buses. They were allowed back into the school by 11:45 a.m.

The fire in the restroom was reported at 9:44 a.m. Wednesday, and the approximately 700 high school students were sent to Troy Howard Middle School, then were sent home.

No one was injured in either incident.

Belfast Police Chief Jeff Trafton and Detective Michael McFadden, Waldo County Sheriff’s Department Detective Matthew Curtis and Stuart Jacobs of the State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the two cases.

Trafton said students and staff were asked to fill out the questionnaire, which asked them where they were when the bomb threat was found and the fire was set, whom the police should talk to and how the incidents affected them.

Trafton said the information gleaned was key to identifying those involved.

The juveniles are scheduled to appear in Rockland District Court on Thursday, Dec. 27. Arson is a Class A felony, and making a bomb threat is a Class C felony.

Trafton said the boys would not be formally charged with the crimes until after juvenile petitions have been signed by the court, and that likely will not happen until after Christmas.

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