Teens Arrested for Arson

CAL FIRE/Highland City firefighters responded yesterday, October 14, 2010 to a structure fire at 6987 Elmwood Drive in Highland, California. While firefighters quickly extinguished the small blaze, witnesses informed Highland City Sheriff’s Deputies that two teenagers had been seen entering and leaving the vacant house around the time of the fire. Deputies quickly searched the surrounding area, located and detained the two teens reported by the witnesses.

CAL FIRE/San Bernardino Unit Fire Investigators Battalion Chief Bart Chambers and Fire Captain Specialist Jack Markle responded and took custody of the teens. During their investigation, Chambers and Markle determined there was enough evidence to arrest the two teens . It was also determined that the two teens had started a small vegetation fire inside the city limits of San Bernardino, California. The fires reportedly happened within an hour of each other. The two teens, brother and sister ages 13 and 15 had been reported as runaways on Wednesday, October 13th.

The two were charged with two counts of 451(c) of the California Penal Code; willfully and maliciously setting a fire which is a felony crime. The teens were cited and released to their parents. No injuries were reported and damage to the structure and contents was less than $5,000 dollars.