We had "2" arson caused fires yesterday

[azsnowman]

Michelle and I were selling raffle tickets for our SAR Unit yesterday when a call came over the radio, we folded up the table, chairs and high tailed it home to get in uniform. A 2 acre fire was reported on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation just 500 "YARDS" from the Pinetop/Lakeside City Limits, we "FLEW!" to the scene, called for 3 P/L Fire Dept Brush Trucks, USDA Engines, the fire was QUICKLY extingushed (thank GOD, the wind was blowing in a SW manner which would have taken the fire right downtown )

We stayed on scene for 3 hours while the mop up was being performed when yet ANOTHER call came in from inside the city limits, we were asked to be first responders, upon arrival at the scene, 3 teenagers were seen RUNNING like crazy, Pinetop Police Dept picked the boys up less than a 1/4 mile from the flames. They were taken into custody and questioned, after just 15 minutes of questioning, they all "3" confessed to the crimes This fire was ALSO extingushed in short order!

Ya know, "WHY do these dam kids DO THIS?" Is it lack of parental control? Little jerks......needless to say, they will NOT be going back to school this year and their parents are being held accountable for the cost of the call outs of resources The parents didn't want to get involved in their kids lives?? WELL...guess WHAT? It just cost them about $56,000

Dennis

[coriolis]

I'm glad they got the fires out and caught the kids. Hopefully this will prevent a more serious incident. These kids do not deserve a break.

[Miss Mary]

Dennis - I don't understand why these kids do this either! Makes me mad also. I'm sure not as frustrated as you both feel, since it's so close to you.

Ed - like your avatar!!!

Mary

[TexasStooge]

Similar situation here, but smaller. As mentioned in my topic "Fire At My School", some teenager decided to light the trash can on fire in the boy's 2nd floor bathroom at school, causing all the bathrooms to be under lockdown temporarily.

[therock1811]

Glad those kids were caught...ya know, I may be a teen myself but I do not understand those kids...

[Stephanie]

I wish that I had an answer to why the kids do that. However, I'm glad that "all's well that ends well". Maybe if the news got out that these parents are going to be held responsible for the cost of the resources and needed to put out the fires, perhaps it'll make some kids and parents think. Hit them in the pocketbook, they'll DEFINATELY take notice!

[furluvcats]

What a mess! I'm hoping those kids will be in serious trouble with their parents...hopefully your judicial system will make an example of them.

[Aslkahuna]

Arson is not one of the crimes the teenagers can be tried as Adults for in AZ. However, by soaking the Parents monetarily big time one can achieve some satisfaction since the teens themselves will probably only get probation.

Steve

[Rainband]

Kids or no Kids, They need to be punished and learn how SERIOUS the crime of arson is

[PTrackerLA]

What an idiotic thing for these kids to do. Glad to hear they have been caught.