Multiple fires tore through the long-vacant J.L. Carter Junior High campus in Arlington today, triggering a three-alarm response and sending firefighters combing through the empty building in the middle of the night. Crews ultimately found no one inside and no injuries were reported.
Three-Alarm Call At Former Carter Campus
Just before 1 a.m., Arlington fire crews were dispatched for a smoke investigation at the former J.L. Carter Junior High on the 700 block of Tharp Street. When they arrived, they found smoke and visible flames inside the building. With fires burning in several spots across both the first and second floors, officials upgraded the call to a three-alarm response. It took firefighters about 90 minutes to get the situation under control, according to FOX 4.
Why The Campus Was Empty
The Carter campus has been sitting vacant as part of Arlington ISD’s bond-funded rebuilding plans. The district lists the property at 701 Tharp St. and shows the existing building in a design and construction phase. District materials state that the current Carter facility was scheduled to be demolished and replaced by the new Joey Rodriguez Junior High under the 2019 bond program, per Arlington ISD.
Investigation Underway
Arlington fire officials have called the blaze “suspicious” and brought in arson investigators to determine whether the multiple fires were intentionally set, according to FOX 4. The investigation is still active and officials have not yet identified a cause.
What Residents Should Know
No injuries were reported, and crews left the scene after knocking down and securing the multiple fire locations inside the building. Fire officials say the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
