Trash-can fires at Boston Latin School under investigation

By Matt Rocheleau, Town Correspondent

Authorities and school administrators are investigating two apparent arsons inside a prestigious Boston exam school after small fires broke out in trash barrels on each of the past two days.

The fires at Boston Latin School, where about 2,300 students are enrolled, caused minimal damage and no injuries, Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald said this afternoon.

The building was evacuated on both afternoons because of the fires, city public schools spokesman Matt Wilder said.

In an automated phone message sent out this afternoon, Headmaster Lynne Mooney Teta informed parents of the incidents, Wilder said.

MacDonald said firefighters responded at 1:17 p.m. today to a trash barrel fire in the basement of the school. The fire set off a sprinkler head, which activated causing an estimated $5,000 in water damage, he said.

On Monday, firefighters responded at 12:30 p.m. for a trash barrel on fire in a second-floor women's restroom, according to the fire department spokesman.

Fire officials had previously said the building was not evacuated because of the fires, but that people inside the building were relocated to another area in the facility. However, school officials said and a fire spokesman has since confirmed that the building was emptied after each fire.

The fires were first reported by the UniversalHub blog.

Located on 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur near the Longwood Medical Area, the school, founded in 1635, is the oldest public school in the country.

Former students have included five signers of the Declaration of Independence, according to the school’s website.

E-mail Matt Rocheleau at mjrochele@gmail.com..
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