Mission Viejo High School Fire Was Arson, Authorities Say
A fire that caused $100,000 in damage at Mission Viejo High School this week is being investigated as arson, officials said Wednesday.
Someone used an accelerator to start a blaze that gutted a storage building at the school’s football stadium, said Capt. Steve Miller, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority. The building contained track and field equipment and materials from the snack bar.
A nearby resident called the fire department shortly after 2:30 a.m. Monday, Miller said. The building was engulfed in flames by the time 23 firefighters arrived. It took nearly 20 minutes to contain the blaze.
Fire officials say witnesses saw several people near the building before the blaze.
Classes begin next week. A temporary snack bar will be erected for the football season, and equipment will be replaced before the track and field season begins.
Anyone with information can call the fire authority’s anonymous tip line at (800) 540-8282.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
