From the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office:
Deputy State Fire Marshals charged a 13 year old Havre de Grace youth with 1st Degree Arson in connection with a fire at his grandparents home this morning.
The 10:12 a.m. fire at 418 Battery Drive in Havre de Grace caused approximately $1,500 in damages during a room and contents fire in the two story center unit townhome. Investigators determined the youth ignited the curtains in his bedroom while playing with matches. The fire was quickly extinguished by members of the Havre de Grace Volunteer Fire Department shortly after arriving on the scene.
The youth has been charged with Arson 1st Degree and Malicious Burning 2nd Degree and will be referred to Harford County Juvenile Services. He was released to the custody of his grandparents. No working smoke alarms were located during the on-scene investigation.
Isn’t that a little drastic? Sounds like it was an accident. How about a lecture, a grounding, and have him pay for the damages with an after school job? Playing with matches in your bedroom is dumb and should be punished, but a felony? Really?