AGOURA HILLS : Youth Arrested in High School Fire

A 17-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of setting a fire that damaged the administration building of Agoura Hills High School, causing as much as $450,000 in damage, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

At least one other suspect was being sought, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Stoneman. No other details of the arrest were made public.

The blaze at 28545 Driver Ave. was reported about 8:50 p.m. Monday. The flames, confined to the athletic director’s office, were extinguished in about half an hour, said Fire Dispatcher Dave Duzy.

Las Virgenes Unified School District officials said the administrative building suffered extensive damage as the result of a firebomb. Sheriff’s deputies said they could not immediately comment on whether a firebomb was used.

School district administrators worked throughout the night to set up temporary offices and support services in the school theater building so classes would not be disrupted Tuesday.

The fire did not reach classrooms, and the school opened at 7:30 a.m. as scheduled, Duzy said.

School officials said fire caused extensive smoke and heat damage throughout the complex. They said night custodians tried to fight the blaze but were driven back by intense heat.

School officials Tuesday posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fire.