ARLINGTON – A 16-year-old student is in custody for setting off a homemade explosive device in a bathroom at Arlington High School, which led to an evacuation of the school.

AHS staff and an Arlington police School Resource officer responded to the second floor of the D-Wing and put out a small fire in a bathroom around 8:30 a.m. AHS placed the school in a lock out.

The “emergency situation” led Arlington Public Schools to evacuate students and staff, cancel classes for the day and initiate a student reunification plan.

The evacuation allowed the Snohomish County Regional Bomb Squad, comprised of the state patrol, Everett police and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, to search AHS for any devices.

Superintendent Chrys Sweeting said safety of students and staff is a top priority. “The student reunification process took an extended amount of time but our families were incredible, waiting patiently to pick up their children,” she said.

Police Chief Jonathan Ventura praised AHS staff member Jim Eldridge for his role. “Jim’s quick action in initially extinguishing the fire, provided the opportunity for the school to release students and staff as safely as possible.”

The student was booked into Denney Youth Center in Everett, a spokesperson said.

Parents and students are reminded that if they observe any unusual or concerning behavior of a student they can anonymously report it through the link on the district’s website or via the SafeSchools Alert app.