Four girls, ranging in ages 12 to 14, allegedly set fire to a Pennsylvania home because they were bored, according to Chief John Blake of the Ferndale Borough Police Department.
News 7 reports that the incident happened on April 3 in the Johnstown borough of Ferndale. A 12-year-old and three 14-year-old girls allegedly used an aerosol can, bug spray, and Lysol to start a fire to a duplex.
“They placed a shoebox on the couch and threw lit pieces of paper into the box that had been sprayed with accelerant,” Blake said.
While authorities were trying to determine who started the fire, the girls reportedly posted a video to Snapchat of the fire. Photos were later taken of the girls when they went back to the duplex to watch the fire, Blake said.
A police officer was subsequently taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, followed by a firefighter at the scene who went to the hospital for an unknown medical reason. Both were released the same day after treatment.
“I’m just thankful the injuries weren’t more severe, or these girls could be facing homicide charges,” Blake said, according to 11 News.
Blake added that a mattress was set on fire at another home earlier on April 3, after someone broke into the residence. Authorities are trying to determine if the girls were responsible for both fires.
The suspects were arrested, then released to their parents. Their cases will be presented at the Cambria County juvenile court.
All four suspects are facing charges of arson, trespassing, endangering another person, and causing a catastrophe. Blake said the girls indicated they started the fire because they were bored.
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[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
