Washington teen suspected in 23 arson fires

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash.--Police say an eastern Washington 16-year-old is suspected of arson in nearly two dozen blazes in the last two weeks, reports CBS affiliate KREM.

The teen is charged two counts of first-degree arson and five-counts of second-degree arson, in connection with 23 fires started along Spokane Valley side roads, often near homes, since mid-September.

Spokane Valley firemen said they had never seen so many fires develop in such a short period of time, KREM reports.

To combat the problem, firefighters and police from multiple departments formed a task force, which obtained surveillance from near fire locations and identified the teen suspect, KREM reports.