A former Seymour High School student accused of setting off fireworks in the school’s pool lobby has been accepted to a special probation program called accelerated rehabilitation.
Tyler Cook, 18, appeared at Superior Court in Derby Wednesday after applying for the probationary program last month. If Cook completes the probation successfully, the charges will be dismissed.
Police said Cook broke into the lobby near the high school pool on June 24, and started two small fires with “mortar-type” fireworks.
The fireworks — which are illegal — are “designed to be launched in air and explode into a 360-degree shower of colorful hot embers,” the arrest warrant says.
Cook was charged in December with third-degree arson, third-degree burglary — two felonies — as well as misdemeanor charges of second-degree criminal trespass and possession of fireworks.
Three other teenagers who were with him that morning — all minors whose names were not released — were charged with second-degree criminal trespass, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, possession of illegal fireworks and conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief.
According to an arrest warrant, Cook was the one who lit the fireworks that started the fire inside.
Cook admitted to police that he started the fires, according to the warrant.
Cook told police he had twisted the wicks of two fireworks together, opened the door to the pool lobby and tossed the burning fireworks inside.
Then he and the three other teens ran away and spent the night at one of the teen’s nearby homes.
Police who responded to the fire found rolls of paper towels, toilet paper and garbage on the floor where the fire was located. There was also a second fire burning inside a janitor’s supply closet in the pool lobby.
The inside of the building is cinder block and the fires didn’t spread.
But they caused more than $6,000 in damage, which Cook has paid back to the school district, according to court documents.
Police were able to track down the group after placing “Arson Tip Line” posters around town the days after the fire.
On Aug. 8, an anonymous caller identified the suspects and police scheduled interviews with each one, according to the warrant.
