The fire inspector said windy conditions Saturday helped two mattresses that were set on fire to combust, causing two houses to catch fire.
The mattresses were standing up in between the houses when a 13-year-old male who was playing with matches accidentally set them on fire.
Police said he tried to run inside one of the houses to get water to put out the fire, but the flames went up fast and were too much for him to handle.
They said it took less than two hours for investigators to find their suspect. Witness statements led them to speak with the 13-year-old and his parents, and the teen quickly confessed.
Charges will soon be filed. He’s facing arson, criminal mischief, risking a catastrophe, and reckless endangerment.
Nine people were displaced and one person was taken to the hospital Saturday night. That person is reported to be in good condition.
Firefighters said it’s tricky to put out fired in between houses in Altoona. The fire inspector said with two houses on fire, about 20 to 30 additional responders are on scene and at risk.
“This is exactly why we ask for, you know, non-combustibles around structures,” said fire inspector Tim Hughes. “You can never tell when, you know, you start stacking combustibles around structures or keeping the outside unclean.”
Police said incidents like these are a good reminder to keep matches and lighters away from kids.