"font-size: small;">BAY

MINETTE, Ala. — Authorities were called to Baldwin County High

School two days in a row, this week.

"font-size: small;">The most

dramatic visit occurred Tuesday, when both Bay Minette Fire and

Police departments responded to a fire alarm at approximately 9:30

a.m.

"font-size: small;">According

to Baldwin County Public Schools spokesman Terry Wilhite, a small

fire was accidentally set in one the boys’ bathroom near the

school’s freshman wing.

"font-size: small;">“A male

student threw a match in a trash can,” he said in an interview

following the incident. “It was quickly extinguished and fire

drills were conducted to get students out of the

building.”

"font-size: small;">According

to Bay Minette Fire Chief Phil Bryars, the blaze erupted in a

combination garbage-and-paper-towel receptacle that was affixed to

a bathroom wall.

"font-size: small;">“The school

custodian was able to remove the trash can and get it out of the

building,” he said in a telephone interview.

"font-size: small;">But by

doing so, the custodian “had minor damage to hands,” the fire chief

said. “He really did a good job of removing the

threat.”

"font-size: small;">Bryars said

the incident resulted in minor damage to the bathroom wall

containing the receptacle and smoke damage to the ceiling outside

the bathroom.

"font-size: small;">“We’re

waiting on the school to give us a dollar amount of the damage,” he

said.

"font-size: small;">According

to Bryars, it took authorities about two hours to get things back

to normal at the school. That’s because the fire department had to

use specially-designed fans to rid the building of

smoke.

"font-size: small;">“It filled

the freshman wing and the middle section around the administration

offices,” he said.

"font-size: small;">Meanwhile,

students remained outside the building.

"font-size: small;">“They were

out there for at least two hours,” Bryars said.

"font-size: small;">However,

provisions were made so that students’ needs could be

met.

"font-size: small;">“We let

them go the bathroom in a separate part of the building,” Bryars

said.

"font-size: small;">While

firefighters contained the smoke, police worked to determine how

the fire started. According to Wilhite, that was accomplished

through the use of the school’s surveillance

cameras.

"font-size: small;">“We had a

student confess to starting the fire,” Bryars

added.

"font-size: small;">Wilhite

said the incident did not appear to be

pre-meditated.

"font-size: small;">“All we can

gather is nonsense,”  he

said.

"font-size: small;">Nontheless,

police took the handcuff students away around lunchtime Tuesday.

Both Wilhite and Bryars said charges could be pending. However,

efforts to contact Bay Minette Police Department by press time were

unsuccessful.

"font-size: small;">Wilhite did

point out that the student is “facing expulsion.”

"font-size: small;">But

Tuesday’s incident wasn’t the first time the police visited the

school this week. On Monday, students were placed in lock-down for

an hour during a random drug search.

"font-size: small;">“Nothing

was found,” Wilhite said.

"font-size: small;">The parent

of a BCHS student told The Times that in the time that students

remained in their classrooms’ a loud noise was heard that sounded

like a gunshot. However, it was found to be the sound of lockers

being slammed shut and tables being moved in the

search.