The overnight fire destroyed a community center and damaged the gymnasium that sits between the two campuses.
Daylight shows the damage at the Loma Prieta Community Center in #SantaCruz Mtns. Sheriff's Substation destroyed. pic.twitter.com/LYe7xnrQOk
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
According to authorities, the teen and his friends went to the school to smoke marijuana but when they arrived, realized no one had any of the drug. They decided to stay and set a cardboard box on fire to keep warm.
When they left, the teen says he placed some smoldering ashes in one of the school's trash cans and thought he'd sufficiently put the embers out.
Fire investigators say fire is suspicious and started in plastic garbage can next to Loma Prieta Community Center. pic.twitter.com/EJbTSpFEqp
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
Instead, the fire spread to the school and caused significant damage to the gymnasium and attached buildings, which includes the Sheriff's Summit Service Center.
Adrian Balderas was driving by the schools Sunday at 11 p.m. when he saw the flames.
"I told them we need firefighters right away," he said. "Tell them to get up here as soon as possible because we don't want the school to burn down."
Damage is estimated at $1 million.
"It's a highly utilized, very busy component of our district resources. This will be a loss, not only to the kids but to the community," said Loma Prieta School District Supt. Corey Kidwell.
Deputies say the teen from Los Gatos admitted the incident and his mother brought him to the police department.
Police say the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review. Both schools will reopen Tuesday.
ABC7 News reporter Matt Keller contributed to this report.
Fire wall & metal doors did their job separating Loma Prieta Community Center & gym. Gym structure appears okay. pic.twitter.com/EKAgVpiFxB
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
#SantaCruz County Sheriff's office substation destroyed by fire at Loma Prieta Community Center. pic.twitter.com/nup1WyxQc9
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
Apple IPads, MacBooks, Apple TVs & Mac Minis were destroyed in fire at Loma Prieta School District Services office. pic.twitter.com/SiU9PZ7RIz
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
Classes cancelled for ~500 students at Loma Prieta Elementary & CT English Middle School after Community Center fire. pic.twitter.com/0sJjGc5aA7
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
Cal Fire working under the moon in the #SantaCruz Mountains. pic.twitter.com/7oS63SiAuZ
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) August 31, 2015
Firefighters battling a structure fire at the Loma Prieta School on Summit Rd in Santa Cruz County #lomaschoolfire pic.twitter.com/wPNVK5dW8t
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 31, 2015