JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A letter sent home to Flagler College families on Friday connected a recent arson attempt at the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum with the evacuation of the Flagler College Library.
According to the letter, a person dressed similarly to the museum arson suspect was spotted in the library on Thursday. Police were concerned that an incendiary device might have been left in the library or a nearby building, which lead to the evacuation.
Because of the library's location in the heart of downtown and of the college, many roads were also closed to vehicle and foot traffic.
Flagler College canceled classes for the rest of the day.
Officers along with K-9's checked the entire library building, and found nothing suspicious. No bombs. No suspicious devices.
Additionally, the person of interest was questioned and cleared of the museum arson, according to the letter.
There is no outstanding risk to the campus or community, officials said.
On Tuesday afternoon, a man wearing a mask and carrying a backpack entered the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum. Because everyone has become accustomed to masks during the pandemic, the mask did raise any red flags. The man spotted in the Flagler Library was dressed similarly, according to the letter.
The museum suspect then proceeded to set a package on fire that he had been carrying, according to the manager of the museum, Cindy Stavely.
A museum visitor then ran to an employee to alert them of a small fire in one of the rooms. The employee grabbed a fire extinguisher and quickly put out the flames. Thankfully, no artifacts were burned and no one was hurt during the incident.