By Alex Ceballos

With eleven homes destroyed and nine damaged, police are searching for a group of teens that may be responsible for starting the Leander fire.  An investigation shows that the fire possibly started in a forested area. Many firefighters had to work through the night to put the fire down, and three had to be rushed to the hospital due to injury.

When the fire was at its worst, 500 people had to evacuate and take shelter at Rouse High School. The fire encompassed 300 acres and left fifteen homes destroyed. In total, the property damage amounted to about $1.4 million dollars.  Some lost everything to the fire, and two residents were treated for smoke inhalation, but there are those that are just thankful to be alive.

The local churches, the Red Cross, and other organizations have helped to provide assistance to the victims by providing food, clothes, and temporary shelter. LHS’s own Drama Club has organized a relief effort for the fire victims and donations are currently being accepted in the drama room.

The fire is believed to have resulted from arson and the Leander Police Department has released descriptions of at least four suspects, two boys and two girls.

All four suspects are Caucasian and believed to be aged between fifteen and sixteen. One of the girls, described as having black hair, was seen wearing a pink sweatshirt and jeans. The other girl, described as having dirty blond hair, was seen wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. Both of the boys have shaggy dark hair and were seen wearing jeans. One of the boys had on a red shirt, and the other a black-striped shirt.

Those with any information regarding these potential suspects should contact the Leander Police Department (512-528-2800). Those that would prefer to remain anonymous should contact Williamson County Crime Stoppers (1-800-253-7867) or the Texas Forest Service (1-800-364-3470). There is a reward of $2,000 for any information that leads to an arrest.