Man arrested in fire that heavily damaged Bath elementary school

A hearth struck Dike Newell elementary university in Bath late Friday night, June 10. Contributed photograph by way of Maine Office of Public Basic safety

A Tub male was arrested Saturday night and charged with theft and arson for the hearth late Friday that closely harmed the Dike Newell College in Tub.

Shannon Moss, spokeswoman for the Point out Hearth Marshal’s Workplace, stated in a assertion that at about 6 p.m., “30-yr-aged Allan Thomas Vigil of Tub was arrested by the Hearth Marshal’s Office and the Bath Law enforcement Office when using a bicycle on Denny Highway in Bath.”

She claimed Vigil was taken into custody “without incident” and was transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Dike Newell University, which serves pre-K by means of second-quality students in Bath, was in flames Friday evening and into early Saturday morning.

Earlier Saturday, Moss reported that the fireplace was viewed as suspicious.

The fireplace brought on “extensive hurt,” according to an e mail from the school’s principal to the faculty community Saturday early morning. “We are nonetheless doing the job with the hearth section to evaluate the problem, and will maintain the community knowledgeable as we master much more,” Jennifer McKay wrote.”We have no other details at this time, but want to specific our gratitude to the unexpected emergency responders who labored via the night time to support with the predicament.”

News of the fireplace came soon just after 11 p.m. Friday.

There was no term on what brought about the fireplace or the whole extent of the hurt to the university, which was created in 1960. By 11:45 p.m., flames were seen on the roof of the developing.

Emergency responders blocked off sections of Substantial Road around the intersection of Wright Generate in north Bathtub, wherever the school is situated.

“Two firefighters have been addressed at a local healthcare facility for minor injuries sustained for the duration of suppression efforts,” Moss mentioned.

The fire was completely extinguished by all around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Cummings.

“There was a large amount of sirens for a while and we could smell the smoke,” Alexandra Purintom, who life in the community and who attended the university, stated Friday night time. “It’s frightening. I have in no way professional nearly anything like this in advance of. There’s hardly ever been so numerous cops and firefighters or nearly anything like that.”

Faculty and directors from Regional School Device 1, which serves Bathtub and the bordering communities, had gathered on Wright Travel, a shorter distance from the university.

A fire struck Dike Newell elementary faculty in Tub late Friday night, June 10. Contributed image by way of Maine Division of General public Protection

RSU1 Superintendent Patrick Manuel mentioned there was minor facts obtainable.

“I’m in shock,” Manuel claimed. “Not understanding particulars, we have to hold out for far more facts as to the problem of the faculty, what induced it, those types of matters.”

Manuel mentioned the district will converse with Dike Newell people as he learns additional from the fireplace department.

“We do have one much more 7 days left of university,” Manuel stated. “We’ll try to talk with households as to what that will glimpse like, but we don’t have individuals answers ideal now.”

School collected a limited length from Dike Newell University in Tub, which caught fire Friday, June 10. John Swinconeck /The Instances Report

Manuel extra: “It’s an psychological point for a lot of persons. … it is challenging.”

The scene was in stark contrast to previously Friday, when workers and pupils celebrated the end of the yr with Industry Day outside actions below a apparent blue sky. The last working day of faculty for Dike Newell is June 17.

The metropolis is in the midst of alumni weekend, section of Bath’s Morse Higher University graduation ceremonies. It’s a time of celebration in the near-knit metropolis regarded for its pleasure in its schools.

“There’s a great deal of shock right now,” McKay claimed, talking outdoors the faculty early Saturday early morning for the duration of the hearth. “It’s a creating that implies a ton to all people. To see it destroyed is pretty heartbreaking.”

A fire struck Dike Newell elementary school in Bathtub late Friday night time, June 10. John Swinconeck /The Periods File

“It’s likely to trigger a good deal of thoughts,” claimed Bathtub Law enforcement Chief Andrew Booth. “We’ve previously found that with a good deal of people. It is a large offer when a community college catches fire. But we’ll get the hearth out and we’ll look into it and with any luck , get some solutions.”

Ross Berkowitz, principal of Fisher Mitchell Elementary Faculty, which serves grades 3-5 at the other conclusion of Significant Avenue in the southern stop of the city, was a single of the directors who had been at the scene.

“It’s devastating and emotional,” Berkowitz mentioned, introducing that he was grateful there ended up no children in the constructing at the time of the hearth.

Responding hearth departments provided Tub, West Bath, Brunswick, Woolwich, Topsham, Phippsburg, Freeport, Yarmouth, Wiscasset and Lisbon. A number of rescue units from Woolwich, Phippsburg and Brunswick also assisted.

Be aware: John Swinconeck is the father or mother of a Dike Newell student.