Police release surveillance images in school arson

Marysville police investigators released surveillance images Tuesday they hope will lead to the capture of the person responsible for the December arson fire at the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts.

“A young white male was captured on surveillance video setting fire to the Charter Academy for the Arts classroom,” Det. Mark Cummins said in a statement.

Marysville firefighters were dispatched around 4 a.m. Dec. 19 to the portable classroom fire on the west end of the school.

Flames were sparked in the middle classroom in a three-room structure.

“Before detected and extinguished by Marysville firefighters, the fire spread and caused extensive damage to several classrooms,” Cummins said Tuesday.

Damage to the language arts classroom was described as “minimal” and was completely repaired by the time the school’s 350-plus students returned from their winter break Jan. 9.

“It was just as good as new; like it never happened,” Principal Tim Malone said.

Initial damage was estimated around $25,000, but the actual repair costs were not immediately available Tuesday.

Police are asking the public’s help to identify the person depicted on surveillance images and anyone else that may have been involved.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marysville Police Department at 749-3900.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.