A 10-year-old Pawtucket, R.I., boy has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson after setting a three story home ablaze that was occupied by eight people at the time.
The youngster set fire to a mattress that was leaning against the building, causing the house to catch fire to the tune of $20,000 in damage.
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Pawtucket Fire Marshal Captain Robert Thurber said the fire started at about 3 p.m. Sunday outside the three-family home at 176 McGill Street. According to Thurber, 14 people live there, but no one was home on the second floor when the fire was allegedly set by the child. No one was injured. Thurber said neighborhood residents implicated a group of boys who were known to a Pawtucket police officer who covers that part of the city. “The cop knew them and rounded the three up,” said Thurber. “We questioned them one by one, and one of the kids later confessed.” h/t wpri
Thurber said Pawtucket fire and police investigated the incident along with the State Fire Marshal’s office, and he said at this point it does not look like the other children will be charged. The residents were allowed back into their apartments after the building was inspected.