Two Nashville students face aggravated arson charges after restroom fire at Independence Academy High School

Incident reported Feb. 13; fire was extinguished with no injuries

Two students have been charged with aggravated arson after investigators concluded a fire inside a boys’ restroom at Independence Academy High School in Nashville was intentionally set. The fire occurred on February 13, 2026, at the charter school located along Hickory Hollow Parkway.

Firefighters responding to the incident found a toilet paper holder and a roll of toilet paper burning in the men’s restroom. The fire was put out on site, and officials reported no injuries.

Investigators classified the blaze as incendiary

Following a review of the scene and subsequent investigative steps, the fire was classified as “incendiary,” a designation used when evidence indicates a fire was deliberately ignited rather than accidental.

School administrators used surveillance video to identify which students were present in the restroom area at the time the fire began. The students were then turned over to fire investigators for interviews. Investigators ultimately determined that two juveniles were responsible for starting the fire and placed both under arrest. Each faces an aggravated arson charge.

Aggravated arson is a serious felony allegation under Tennessee law, typically associated with intentionally setting a fire in a way that creates heightened risk to people or property.

How school video and interviews shaped the case

The case reflects a common investigative sequence in school-based fire incidents: rapid suppression of the fire, collection of physical observations about the point of origin, and use of campus security video to narrow the timeline and identify those with access. In this instance, investigators cited both the on-scene findings involving restroom fixtures and paper products and follow-up interviews with students after video review.

Safety and accountability focus following campus incidents

While this incident resulted in no reported injuries, fires in school restrooms can pose broader operational and safety risks, including smoke spread into corridors, potential alarm activation, and disruption to instruction. Authorities emphasized that intentional fires carry significant legal consequences and that coordinated work between school staff, investigators, and law enforcement is used to determine responsibility and deter recurrence.

• Date of fire: February 13, 2026
• Location: Independence Academy High School, Hickory Hollow Parkway area
• Reported damage source: toilet paper dispenser and roll of toilet paper
• Outcome: fire extinguished; no injuries reported
• Status: two students charged with aggravated arson

The investigation remains centered on the events inside the restroom at the time the fire began. No additional details about the students’ identities were released, consistent with the treatment of juvenile cases.