Two Boys Charged With Setting Florida Brush Fires

[Reptscue]

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Two boys were charged Sunday with setting weekend brush fires that have destroyed or damaged more than two dozen homes and burned more than 1,500 acres in southwest Florida, authorities said.

The boys, ages 10 and 12, were arrested and charged as juveniles with intentional and reckless burning of land, a third-degree felony, Lee County sheriff's Lt. Robert Forrest said. Authorities were seeking a third youth.

Both were being held at the county juvenile detention center, he said.

Firefighters had the major blaze 75 percent contained Sunday afternoon but worried that wind and rising temperatures could stoke hot spots, said Gerry LaCavera, a state wildfire specialist. Four smaller fires were contained Saturday. No one was injured.

At least nine homes and four sheds were destroyed, and an unknown number of other homes suffered some type of damage, said Gerry LaCavera, wildfire mitigation specialist with the Florida Division of Forestry.

Another 30 vehicles, from all-terrain vehicles to cars and boats, also were lost.

The fires also destroyed two fire trucks, and killed several pets, Forrest said. "I'm aware we lost one goat and a couple dogs," he said.
Four smaller fires were contained Saturday.

Some residents who own construction equipment such as bulldozers were helping to extinguish the flames with dirt, LaCavera said.

Residents were allowed back in the area Sunday afternoon, Forrest said. About 60 people evacuated their homes and had spent Saturday night at a recreation center.

About 1,000 customers lacked power in the county Sunday, according to the LCEC energy company.

Viola Esquivel, 44, said only a brick wall remained of her home.

"The neighbors were running all over with hoses and pressure washers. Everybody tried to help everybody, but the flames got too close and we ran," she said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193746,00.html

[VoodooChile]

JEEZ!
When you hear about stuff like that its hard to grasp the entirety of the damage. People and animals without homes, those that made it, and very lucky to be alive. They should charge kids with stiffer penalties, IMO. These kids will get some kind of community punishment, and no record that will follow them as it would an adult.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[Reptscue]

At least they are charging them with a 3rd class felony.

[Reptscue]

Oh and another scary thing is that there was a seperate fire not far from my home....

[VoodooChile]

yeah they are CHARGED with that..The moms and dads of the boys will probably come out with attorneys, and the charges will be reduced to criminal mischief, misdemeanor..They will have to do community service and pay back the fines and some sort of deal on compensation. I feel bad for the 3rd boy they are looking for. I bet he will get the higher charge, because the other two are squealing like stuck pigs...
The last boy will take the hardest fall, Id be willing to bet.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I'm sure it won't get reduced much. If one of my old friends can get locked up for meth at 13, these kids will get some time in a juvinile center. Theres no way they won't spend some time in some sort of center or institution. Its true kids won't get as hard of punishment but at least they are charged with something. I am thinking the Felony will stay with them for some time. Won't just disapear I wouldn't think

[HavocovaH]

Originally Posted by amercnwmn

JEEZ!
When you hear about stuff like that its hard to grasp the entirety of the damage. People and animals without homes, those that made it, and very lucky to be alive. They should charge kids with stiffer penalties, IMO. These kids will get some kind of community punishment, and no record that will follow them as it would an adult.

agreed, if the kids want to be hellions then lock them up. there's no sense in endangering entire families and communities when the solution is obvious. i'm not saying we shouldn't try to handle and help the bad apples in the barrel but when ANYONE takes something that far and does something that puts the lives of people who have their own families to take care of at risk, they no longer need to be part of any community in which they can harm others as they've already demonstrated they're willing to do. overall there's just no point in allowing them to ruin more lives than they already have by leaving all of these people homeless. thank god no one was killed. just my 2 cents.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion