LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department said the cause of a Monday morning fire at Terrace Middle School appears to have been arson, with authorities offering a reward to identify who set the fire.
The fire in the bathroom at the middle school, located on the Lakeport Unified School District’s campus at 250 Lange St., occurred at 10 a.m., police said.
Police said the school staff and students followed safety protocols and safely evacuated away from buildings and smoke after the fire caused the alarm to sound.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District reported that firefighters arrived to find a well-established fire in the school bathroom with students evacuated.
Interim Lakeport Fire Chief Rick Bergem said that his agency, along with Kelseyville Fire and Northshore Fire responded to the incident.
He said the fire was quickly knocked down. He did not have a damage estimate.
Bergem said there were no injuries to either civilians or firefighters.
Police said students later were returned to their classrooms and resumed their normal bell schedule.
The fire only impacted the bathroom, with no classrooms affected, police said.
Police said firefighters began a cause and origin investigation and determined that the fire was intentionally set.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeport Police Department and Lakeport Unified School District initially combined resources to offer a $300 reward, which a short time later on Monday afternoon was increased to $600 thanks to a contribution from Lakeport area Supervisor Tina Scott. The reward is for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the responsible subject.
The Lakeport Police Department and Lakeport Fire Protection District are continuing to investigate the fire.
Witnesses are encouraged to come forward and report information to the Terrace Middle School’s administration, School Resource Officer Victor Rico or share information anonymously using the district’s Report It App.
Information also can be provided by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777 or by private message to the Lakeport Police Department Facebook page.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Police: Terrace Middle School fire believed to be arson, reward offered
- Elizabeth Larson
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