KENNER - A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old will face charges in a February fire that destroyed the old Kenner High School building.
The fire occurred on Feb. 19 at the school in the 1600 block of Rev. Richard Wilson Drive.
Ryder Chriss, 17, of Harahan was booked with the crime of simple arson. An unnamed 16-year-old will also be booked on the crime of simple arson.
According to Kenner Police, Chriss, the juvenile and three others were inside of the building just after midnight on the day of the fire. While they were inside, they located to the second floor where they found a sofa in the hallway.
Police said Chriss placed paper debris found nearby onto the sofa and lit the paper and sofa with a cigarette lighter. Police said the unnamed juvenile added more papers on top of the fire, causing it to grow.
It eventually spread through the entire building, demolishing the interior and the first and second floors.
Kenner Police Chief Michael J. Glaser encourages anyone who may have any additional information relating to this arson fire, to contact Kenner Police Detective Mike Jackson at (504) 712-2283