Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:28 PM CDT
Windsor boys, 11 and 12, charged with arson
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
WINDSOR — Two pre-teenage boys face arson charges after they allegedly set fire to the home of a Windsor family Sunday.
“It was an intentional setting, with the intent to burn the house down,” said Shelby County State’s Attorney Allan Lolie. “It was just a senseless act by small children, really.”
Lolie said the boys, ages 11 and 12, are both under house arrest following the filing of formal charges Thursday. The boys also were charged with residential burglary, having allegedly entered another residence and taken several small items sometime during the last week, he added.
“Because of the ages of these offenders, it’s a very serious situation,” Lolie said. “I’ve never had to deal with this serious of a crime with this young a violator.”
Renee Long and her three children lost virtually all of their possessions after the Sunday afternoon blaze essentially gutted their home on the 600 block of Vine Street in Windsor, said neighbors who are collecting donations.
“My heart goes out to the family,” said Lolie.
Windsor firefighters received assistance from four other area departments to extinguish what fire Chief Rick Allen described as a fire that “had been building up for a while” before fire crews arrived.
The state fire marshal’s office was brought in to investigate. No injuries were reported.
No one was home about 4 p.m. when neighbors noticed “very thick” smoke coming from the Long residence, Allen said.
In addition to calling the fire department, neighbors banged on the doors of the house and even broke a front window to ensure no one was inside, said the fire chief.
Donations of clothing, furniture and household items are being accepted at the home of Larry and Lisa Wright, 221 N. Oak St. in Windsor. Cash donations may be deposited at the Shelby County State Bank in Windsor, in care of the Renee Long family.
Additionally, middle and high school students in the Lerna Beacons program are collecting donations of clothing, furniture and household items for the Long family. Items are being accepted at the Lerna school, or those interested may call 235-4867 to arrange a pick up.
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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injustice85 wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:44 PM: