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The boy used a “Zippo” lighter to ignite the small blaze in the second-floor bathroom of the school’s science wing just after 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of the entire school.
It also activated the automatic sprinkler system, which quickly extinguished the fire before it could spread, the prosecutor said. However, it caused considerable smoke and water damage, he said.
Molinelli’s Arson Squad, aided by Ridgewood’s police and fire Departments — as well as Ridgewood school officials — quickly zeroed in on the juvenile responsible.
He was released to his mother’s custody pending a Family Court hearing in Superior Court in Hackensack on arson complaints.
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