Report: 12-Year-Old Boy Charged With Starting Yonkers Fire That Displaced 35
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A 12-year-old boy has reportedly been charged with starting a three-alarm fire in Yonkers on Saturday night that forced nearly three dozen people from their homes.
The blaze began around 10:15 p.m. Saturday at 191 Saratoga Avenue, a witness told WCBS 880's Monica Miller.
Police spent Sunday morning questioning the a boy who lives in the building, Miller reported. He has since been charged with arson, The Journal News reported.
Constantine, who lives in a building next door, told Miller he heard a neighbor screaming that his son had started the fire.
The inferno gutted the building and spread to another building.
"He kept screaming like, 'My son did it! My son did it!" said Constantine, who was among those displaced by the blaze.
"I ran down to the second floor, just started banging on all the doors on my way up," Constantine said.
The man then grabbed his wife and 2- and 3-year-old children, leaving all their possessions behind.
"Have to rebuild," Constantine said. "Happy to be alive and happy that no one got hurt.
Thirty-five people from 14 families have been displaced.
A Red Cross spokeswoman said the organization is helping the residents find temporary housing and offering them mental health services.
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