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Historic School Ablaze: Arson Suspected?
4 Jul
Summary
- Firefighters battled persistent flare-ups at historic St. Catherine Indian School.
- Federal agents joined local investigators at the scene of the blaze.
- A naked man was arrested fleeing the school as flames took hold.
A fire ravaged the historic St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe, with investigators working Friday to determine its cause. Fire crews remained on scene, battling persistent hot spots within the structure, which saw its roof collapse Thursday. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the State Fire Marshal's Office, initiated an investigation into the blaze.
Authorities arrested Anthony Dault, 35, on the school's property Thursday afternoon. Bystanders reported seeing him flee the building as the fire spread. Dault, who has a history of trespassing and squatting, was charged with criminal trespass. Investigators have questioned him and obtained a search warrant for the site.
The St. Catherine Indian School, founded by St. Katharine Drexel, operated for over a century before closing in 1998. The Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority, which owns the property, had planned to redevelop the vacant site for commercial use.
