Former Student Suspected Of Arson At St. Catherine University

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Officials at St. Catherine University say a former student is suspected of setting several small fires Wednesday morning on the St. Paul school's campus.

The university says eight fires were reported, and all were small and quickly contained. No one was injured by the flames, and officials say the suspect was spotted by surveillance cameras, arrested and removed from the student lounge on campus in the afternoon.

According to jail records, St. Paul police arrested a 19-year-old Tnuza Hassan on suspicion of arson.

St. Kate's officials say the suspect was a former student, who was last enrolled in the fall.

According to St. Kate's officials, the fires were small and quickly contained. Officials say there was damage to furnishings, but no structural damage to the impacted buildings.

The buildings affected by the fire were Coeur de Catherine, Derham Hall, Mendel Hall, Our Lady of Victory Chapel, St. Mary's residence hall, Fontbonne, and the Butler Center.

St. Kate's staff are encouraging students to download the LiveSafe app to get notifications in the event of a campus emergency.

The investigation is ongoing.