Two Teen Boys Started Millbrae Community Center Fire, Sheriff's Office Says [UPDATED]

MILLBRAE, CA – Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with last week's devastating Millbrae fire that burned a popular community center to the ground, officials announced Monday.

The boys, whose names weren't released because of their ages, are both from Millbrae. They are 16 and 17 years old.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office says the boys were pegged as arson suspects following an investigation into Thursday's fire by the Central County Fire Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, "... plus crucial information from the general public."

The ATF was called in to assist with the investigation, which led to the two juveniles Friday afternoon, sheriff's spokesman Detective Sal Zuno said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Zuno said the boys confessed to starting the fire but said investigators at this point believe the blaze was "due to negligence and was not intentional."

"At this stage of the investigation, the evidence gathered suggests that the juveniles did not intend to deliberately set the community center on fire and suggests a foolish act of reckless behavior," Detective Salvador Zuno said in a news release before the conference. "The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office – Juvenile Division will make the final decision on filing charges against the minors."

He said investigators got "important" information from the public, as well as social media, that led to the arrests. Neither boy has any prior criminal history, Zuno said.

“I am thankful for the hard work and diligence of fire investigators at Central County Fire and detectives at the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department,” said Millbrae Mayor Anne Oliva in a statement.

Oliva said children in a summer camp that was being held at the center have been relocated to nearby Taylor Middle School, and the city is working on plans for what to do with other programs held there.

"We're going to get through this," she said.

Anyone with additional information regarding the Millbrae Community Center fire is encouraged to call Detective Pat Carey at 259-2321 or pcarey@smcgov.org.

SEE ALSO:

• UPDATED With Pics, Video: 4 Alarm Fire Rips Through Millbrae Recreation Center

(Main image via San Mateo County Sheriff's Office video on Facebook)