Child Confeses to Starting Kittanning Borough Fire
A young boy confessed to starting a fire at 242 Chestnut St. Tuesday night in Kittanning Borough. Fire Chief Earl “Buzz” Kline said after speaking to the fire victims that the fire was still started accidentally (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A child confessed to starting a fire at a Chestnut Street home Tuesday evening.
According to Kittanning Hose Company #4 Fire Chief Earl “Buzz” Kline, the perpetrator confessed while Chief Kline was investigating the bedroom fire with Kittanning Borough police officers.
“A young boy confessed to setting the fire,” Chief Kline said.
“He was playing with a lighter and lit a piece of paper – he thought he blew it out and dropped it – that’s what started the fire.”
Chief Kline did not know where the boy found the lighter and estimated emergency officials were on-site of the incident until about midnight.
A family of six – a mother, father and four children – was displaced from the home at 242 Chestnut St. after a fire broke out in the second-floor bedroom about 9:45PM. Kittanning Hose Company #1, #4 and #6 firefighters quickly responded to the fire and had it extinguished within about five minutes.
Nobody was injured.
Chief Kline, also the Borough fire marshal, maintained his ruling that the fire was caused accidentally.
“The parents were there when we were talking to him and he confessed to his father,” Chief Kline added.
Multiple neighbors reported the fire to Armstrong 9-1-1 dispatchers, according to police, and stood on sidewalks across the street or rode bicycles to witness firefighters in-action. Firefighters carried clothes and mattresses out of a second-story window before hosing down the bedroom while fans blew smoke from the home.
Chief Kline said damage was contained to one corner of the front bedroom, but he recommended the family find another place to stay due to the water damage. The family owned the half of a two-story duplex, which was located near the intersection with North McKean Street.
“Until they get it fixed, they’re going to be staying someplace else,” Chief Kline said. “It’ll be up to their insurance company – that’s something they’re going to have to take care of.”
He hoped this continues to be a lesson in fire safety for elementary school children before firefighters visit classrooms this Fall.
“Every time we take the trailer out, one of the biggest (lessons) is (about) playing with matches, lighters – if you see them, ask your parents to put them up out of sight so you don’t have the urge to play with them because they can be very devastating,” Chief Kline said.
Kittanning #6 Ambulance officials did not have to treat any injuries.
Kittanning Borough | jweaver August 6, 2015
By Just sayin, August 6, 2015 @ 3:20 PM
The kid must have been absent during fire-safety week. At least the boy confessed.
Get him help now or he may be an arsonist when he gets older, if not before.