Schoolgirl Hurt as Locker Explodes; Boy, 14, Arrested

A Fountain Valley High School freshman received first- and second-degree burns on both her legs when the school locker she was leaning up against exploded after a student had filled it with lighter fluid and model rocket fuel during lunch, police said Thursday.

Fountain Valley police latter arrested a 14-year-old student and said they found his backpack filled with tools and lighter fluid. Officers said they found a prescription bottle filled with model rocket fuel in his locker.

“This kid is really hard to figure out,” said Officer William Hufnagel. “He is a straight-A student, kind of a nerd, for the lack of a better word. He was hesitant in questioning but he did admit it.”

Hufnagel said the youth is expected to be charged with using explosives to cause property damage and injury, a felony. He was released to the custody of his parents.

Shelley Via, 15, was leaning against the lockers and talking to three friends when the locker exploded.

“I was standing in front of the lockers and they blew up,” Via said. “The locker door blew open and flames came out. I just backed away. I was scared and I was screaming.”

Via said her swim coach came by and quickly put water and cold compresses on her legs. She was latter sent to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center and was released.

Via first feared that someone had meant to hurt her but latter said she felt it was nothing more than a lunchtime prank.

“He (the suspect) is really nice and everything,” Via said. “I don’t know what got into him.”

Hufnagel said the youth had drilled a hole through two abandoned lockers that were back to back. Through the hole he put lighter fluid, model rocket fuel, fire crackers and copper sulfate. He put a slow burning wick in the hole to light it.

The suspect was not seen at the time of the explosion, Via said. Both Via and Hufnagel said other students nearby had hair singed on their arms and faces.

When Via arrived home she was showered with flowers and get-well wishes from her teammates on the swim team.