BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Battle Creek fire and police department officials are continuing their investigation into a suspicious fire Sunday afternoon at Southwestern Junior High School.
Battle Creek firefighters were called to the building at 3:49 p.m. Sunday after a passing motorist reported seeing smoke and flames. When they arrived they found fire in a first-floor library of the building. The fire was contained to the library, but smoke filled a large portion of the building.
The building is owned by Battle Creek Public Schools but has not been used for classes by the district in some years.
Police say they found two girls, ages 13 and 14, standing nearby. The pair were questioned after a witness said he saw them leave the building just before the fire was reported.
During questioning the girls said they were in the library and kitchen of the building but denied setting the fire.
They were released to their parents.
The fire is the second at the school in three months.
Fire Marshall Quincy Jones told the Battle Creek Enquirer both fires are suspicious but the cause remains under investigation.
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