FORT WORTH, Texas — Updated Monday, Oct. 4 with a statement from Fort Worth ISD.
Fort Worth Fire Department officials said Sunday they believe that a Saturday night fire at Atwood McDonald Elementary School was set intentionally, and officials have arrested a man on an arson charge.
Crews arrived at the active fire around 10:39 p.m. Saturday, officials said. They were able to contain the fire, but not before the fire significantly damaged the school, Fort Worth fire officials said.
There was one civilian at the scene. Fire officials ended up treating that person for smoke inhalation and took them to JPS Hospital for treatment, officials said.
Later, Fort Worth Fire Department arson investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. Investigators arrested Joseph Terry Dorsey on burglary of a building and arson charges.
Fort Worth Fire officials said they could not confirm if Dorsey was the same person who was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene of the fire.
Fort Worth ISD said in a news release Monday that a security guard monitoring surveillance cameras saw someone break into the school. That security guard called the police, who were already on their way to the school.
Drop-off and pick-up locations and some classrooms at the school will be temporarily relocated for teachers and students Monday, the district said. Staff members will be on hand to direct people where they need to go.