Boy Playing With Matches Admits He Started One Of Devastating California Wildfires
Posted October 31, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s a horrific admission that could haunt a young child for the rest of his life. Officials in California say a boy playing with matches likely started one of the devastating wildfires that blazed through 38,000 acres and razed 21 homes to the ground last week.
A series of out-of-control fires decimated the Golden State, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee and leaving many with no place to return to. Authorities blamed the conflagrations on the high Santa Ana winds, the tinder dry conditions, and in at least two of the more serious infernos, arson.
But the cause of one of those was something everyone hoped it wouldn’t be. The youngster told the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office he was responsible for starting the “Buckweed” fire on October 21st. “He admitted to playing with matches and accidentally starting the fire,” Sgt. Diane Hecht notes.
The child’s age and identity aren’t being given out and he’s been released to the custody of his parents. The case has now been turned over to the local district attorney to see whether he’ll be charged.
All but four of the major fires that ravaged the southern part of the state have been fully contained and most people have been allowed to return to their residences – if they’re still there.
Fourteen people died and 2,100 homes were destroyed by the week-long blazes which stretched some 809 square miles, and there are concerns it’s not over yet. The Santa Ana’s are expected to pick up later in the week, sparking fears of more trouble to come.
