Crime & Safety
Fire Set By Children Damages Cherokee County Homes
A fire department official said the boys admitted to lighting the fire, but it grew too large before they could put it out.
ACWORTH, GA -- Two children have been charged in connection to a fire that damaged the siding of several townhouses in southwest Cherokee County.
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched around 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 of the fire in the Ridge Mill neighborhood, which is located off Highway 92 behind the Cherokee Sheriff's Office's Oak Grove Precinct and Fire Station No. 19.
Crews arrived on the scene to find the fire raging, but were able to douse the blaze before anyone was injured.
Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The fire, which was set by two boys, ages 11 and 12, respectively, damaged the siding of 17 homes in the community, according to WSB-TV.
Cherokee fire spokesperson Tim Cavender said the children started a fire using a lighter and charcoal lighter fluid.
Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
However, the fire got out of control, and they were unable to extinguish the blaze. Both were charged with reckless conduct and turned over to their parents, Cavender added. The fire department spokesperson noted fires like these are rare occurrences for the county. The last one of this kind, Cavender stated, was reported "years ago."
"However, they did not create this much damage," he added.
Image via Shutterstock
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