Sheriff’s deputies cited an 11-year-old Twentynine Palms boy they suspect set a fire in a restroom at school Wednesday afternoon. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the boy, who was not identified due to his age, asked to use the restroom at Bright Futures Academy, in the 5400 block of Luckie Avenue. Per protocol, a staff member escorted the boy to the restroom and checked it first to make sure it was empty. After the boy left the restroom, the staff member smelled smoke, and checked inside and discovered a roll of toilet paper–inside a metal dispenser–was on fire. There were also burn marks on two ceiling tiles that were not there before the boy entered the restroom. The staff member put out the fire with a fire extinguisher about 12:45 p.m. and called deputies. A lighter was also found in the boy’s possession. The boy was cited for investigation of arson—a felony—and removed from the school campus. A report will be sent to the district attorney’s office for review.
