Nine-Year-Old Boy Sets Fire at St. Cloud School

(Learfield News/St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud police are identifying the student accused of starting a fire last month at Westwood Elementary as a nine-year-old boy.

Authorities say the fire was intentionally set in a school bathroom and caused enough smoke damage to force the school’s closure.

Because Minnesota law prohibits prosecuting children under age 10, the case is being sent to the Stearns County Attorney’s Office to consider alternative actions.

The school is expected to reopen for in-person learning on Monday after cleanup is complete.