Teen is arrested after a Molotov cocktail causes a fire at Monrovia High
A 17-year-old student was arrested early Monday for allegedly hurling a Molotov cocktail into the administrative offices of Monrovia High School and sparking a fire, police said.
The student was found hiding in the area and taken into custody on suspicion of arson, Monrovia police said. No name was released because the suspect is a minor.
“He acted by himself,” police Lt. Michael Lee said.
The fire was reported about 12:25 a.m. as flames swept through the school’s administrative offices and counseling area. Firefighters stopped the flames from reaching adjacent classrooms.
Authorities estimate the blaze caused between $500,000 to $1 million in damage. The school is located in the 800 block of West Colorado Boulevard.
A motivation for the crime was not immediately clear, according to Lee.
Classes will continue Monday as firefighters and police investigate the blaze.
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