Police: 3 Kids Playing With Lighter Causes Fire At School, Mosque In Bucks County
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BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Three kids playing with a lighter is to blame for a fire that broke out a Bucks County school and mosque on Monday.
The fire happened at the Isabet School and Mosque on the 5200 block of Emilie Road in Bristol Township at 4:45 p.m.
Investigators say the fire started in a room full of paper supplies.
The building is on the property previously occupied by Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Parish and School.
Somebody called 911 from inside the adjacent mosque, reporting they smelled smoke.
"There is an alarm system present, it did not activate or send a signal to the alarm company and that's being investigated," said Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito.
After interviews and statements, police say, it was a basic as kids playing with matches, or in this case, what's believed to be lighter.
"Three juvenile students who attend the school started the fire non-maliciously," said Chief Robert Coulton with the Bristol Township Police Department. "Our detectives who worked the scene with the ATF will recommend some charges would be appropriate."
No one was injured in the fire.
Police stress this was not a crime of hate and say the juveniles and their parents have been cooperative with law enforcement investigation.
The principal of the school has thanked officials for their professionalism and quick work.