17-year-old charged in May 4 MCCTC fire

CANFIELD — Police have released the name of the girl charged with criminal damaging in the May 4 fire at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.

Pamela Schindler, 17, of Salem, was charged last week. Police said she lit a cigarette lighter over a bucket of solvent, which started the fire that resulted in at least $4.5 million in damage to the school on Palmyra Road.

A police report cited witness statements that resulted in the charge, including from one student who said he saw Schindler light the lighter and the bucket go up in flames.

She is charged in Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

Another student, Kyle Layne, 19, of Alliance, is charged with obstructing official business. Police said he did not provide accurate information during the investigation. A pretrial hearing is set for Layne at 5:30 p.m. in County Court in Canfield.