3 Tweens Allegedly Cause Coto De Caza Brush Fire While Playing with a Lighter

Three boys were detained for lighting a small fire in dry vegetation in the Coto De Caza area of Orange County, authorities said today.

The fire was lit by two 12-year-olds and an 11-year-old playing with a cigarette lighter near the intersection of South Bend and Bentley roads around 1:30 p.m. Monday, Orange County fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi said. The three were believed to be on spring break, he said.

The fire scorched an area of 50 by 50 fifty feet and was slowed by a passing California Highway Patrol officer who shoveled dirt onto the flames, Concialdi said.

Instead of being arrested, the three boys were enrolled in the OCFA Fire FRIENDS education program on the dangers of playing with fire, he said.

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