Community Corner

Arson Blamed in Fatal Saddleback College Blaze

A 21-year-old student dies from burns in the Monday morning fire. Authorities are now investigating whether he started the blaze.

The 21-year-old Saddleback College student who suffered serious burns in a Monday morning fire on campus has died, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Jon Muir said Tuesday. The student's identity has not been released.

Investigators suspect arson after discovering accelerant at the scene, Muir said, but weren't sure if the student was responsible.

"The fire was ruled arson,'' Muir told City News Service. "We do not know if this person lit the fire.''

The blaze began around 6:30 a.m. -- half an hour before the first class -- on the third floor of the campus business/general studies building and caused $200,000 in structural damage and $200,000 in lost content, officials said.

The damage was mainly confined to the lecture hall, he said.

Although the fire began near an air conditioning unit, the air conditioner did not cause the fire, Muir said.

Classes on the second and third floors of the building have been relocated. Click here for a list of relocated classes.


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