Arson causes $100,000 in damage to Mukilteo elementary

MUKILTEO, Wash. — Fire caused $100,000 in damage at a Mukilteo elementary school and that forced all classes to be cancelled Monday.

Mukilteo fire investigators and police say it’s arson.

The fire started on the back of the school and destroyed electrical and computer equipment.

There was concern it would spread to the gym; fortunately flames did not but there is considerable smoke damage.

Kris Hammer is a Columbia Elementary School parent; her family had to rearrange their Monday schedule to accommodate someone else’s crime.

“Yeah my husband came home from work so that I could get my stuff done and he could watch the kids during lunch,” Hammer told us.

The arson at Columbia Elementary School resulted in $100,000 in damage and a day off for students —Hammer's two young boys included.

“You know you want to make sure the kids are safe and their schools are safe so when you hear something happens to an elementary school you get nervous,” Hammer said.

Fire investigators say someone started a fire inside or on a portable toilet in back of the building late Saturday night—but fire spreads.

The eaves were charred and phone and internet lines were disrupted.

Parents were notified over the weekend that classes were cancelled, and Monday a cleanup crew put fans in the gym to air it out.

While Hammer's boys may not be too upset about the long weekend—

“They actually weren’t disappointed,” she said, laughing.

The reason behind it is certainly upsetting to Hammer.

“It was disappointment,” she concluded.

Police have not released any information about the investigation.

Columbia Elementary School will reopen Tuesday.

Cox Media Group