Just after 6 a.m. on Monday — the first day of school for all five of Lamar County’s school districts — Paris fire and police officials responded to a fire call at PISD’s alternative school, located at 3270 Graham Street.
Previously known as Travis Junior High, the alternative school was the target of vandalism overnight, as arson has been called the cause of the flames by authorities.
“We have confirmed it was arson, but at this point it is still under investigation,” Paris Fire Chief Larry Wright told eParisExtra.
Employees of the district, arriving to work right around 6 a.m., discovered the arson attempt and called the fire department.
After investigating the scene it was found that items had been piled in the hallway and ignited, likely with some kind of accelerant.
The fire was contained before extreme damage could be done, and police and fire department authorities are working diligently to solve the confirmed arson case.
By Josh Allen, eParisExtra