Neighbors React To News Of Arson Arrest
PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) - Some Douglas County residents who have been affected by a series of small fires say they are frustrated to hear a juvenile may have set them.
Authorities announced on Thursday that a 15-year-old is facing second degree arson charges in the case. He allegedly set three different grass fires in a 10 day period in The Pinery neighborhood.
Each fire grew to about an acre in size and burned in open space areas. They were quickly put out by firefighters with the South Metro Fire district and no one was hurt.
After conducting surveillance from nearby homes and from a backyard shed investigators arrested the teen they believe is responsible.
One resident, Lisa Lee, told CBS4 she was rattled by the fires.
"I just totally freaked out," she said. "My whole backyard was on fire."
Lee said after the fire that burned closest to her house broke out she started filling up buckets in her house with water. Firefighters arrived quickly and yelled at her to "Get out, get out!"
"It's just really scary to know that your life could have been gone in a matter of minutes because some kid didn't have enough to do," said Karen Ehrbar, another neighbor.
Ehrbar told CBS4 she hopes the teenager gets help.
"He definitely has a problem, and I hope that they find a solution for him soon."
Lee agreed, and said she hopes he learns a lesson from it.
The same neighborhood was evacuated last month when the Burning Tree Fire broke out near Franktown and scorched several hundred acres.
The teen's name is not being released because he is a juvenile. Authorities haven't said if the parents of the boy will be held responsible.
