OCALA, FL (352today.com) – On Sept. 17, at around 11:40 a.m., a fire alarm went off at Fort King Middle School, located at 545 NE 17th Ave. A school resource officer quickly responded to the second floor of Building 4 after being alerted by a teacher of a fire. The school resource officer discovered a soap dispenser on fire in the boys’ bathroom and acted swiftly to extinguish the flames. His quick actions prevented the fire from spreading and ensured the safety of students and staff.
The building was safely evacuated, and the fire was determined to have been caused intentionally. Surveillance footage and staff observations identified a 13-year-old student as the main suspect. An Ocala Police Department detective investigated, collected evidence, and found probable cause of the student’s involvement. The student later confessed to the act and was arrested for arson to an educational institution.
Thanks to the swift actions of the school resource officer, school staff, Ocala Fire Rescue, and responding law enforcement, a potentially catastrophic situation was avoided.