Teen set fire to trash can at Lancaster County school, sheriff’s office says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A 13-year-old was cited Monday after he set a trash can on fire at Raymond Central High School, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office says.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said a teacher was walking down a hallway around 9:30 a.m. when she smelled smoke coming from the boy’s bathroom.

The bathroom’s trash can had been lit on fire, according to Houchin.  The teacher grabbed the trash can and ran it outside of the school.

Houchin said the principal then grabbed the trash can and it took it even farther away from the school.

By the time deputies arrived, the fire had burned itself out, according to Houchin.

During the investigation, deputies reviewed security video and saw a 13-year-old student exit a science room, enter the bathroom and leave a few seconds later.

About a minute after the student ran out, Houchin said the teacher noticed the fire.

The 13-year-old was cited on suspicion of first-degree arson, then released to his parents.

Houchin said the teen used a lighter to start the fire in the trash can and nothing else was damaged in the bathroom.