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Teen Arrested For Setting Fire To Bellwood-Antis Middle School

According to police, an overnight fire at a Blair County Middle School was “intentionally set” and a local man is charged for doing it.

Reporter Baylee Wojcik was there and joins us with the latest.

Around 3 this morning, local fire crews were called here to Bellwood-Antis Middle School after a fire broke out inside the school.

Investigators say that it was an act of arson committed by 19 year old Elias Alley.

According to the criminal complaint and information shared at the preliminary hearing, Alley used a cinder-block to break through a classroom window that he dove through to enter the school.

Officers say that alley admitted to breaking into the building and then using a lighter to light a garbage bag on fire in the corner of the school’s wrestling room.

Officers also report that the window to the coach’s office had been broken as well.

At his preliminary arraignment hearing, officials revealed that Alley caused around $5,000 worth of damage to the school.

School officials announced Today that the Middle and High School would be closed for the rest of the week due to the damage and smoke throughout the building.

I was able to sit in on Alley’s preliminary hearing, where his bail was set to $1 million.

Officers at the hearing alleged that Alley is a flight risk and has access to several thousand dollars per month, leading them to set the bail so high.

I also spoke with his Grandmother Tracie Alley, who says that her family is upset with the situation.

“He’s not some evil person that people are making him out to be. Elias is a very kindhearted kid. He would do anything for anybody.”

Officials with the district say they are working to develop a comprehensive plan to move forward from the incident and will be providing updates throughout the rest of the week

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