The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office charged a juvenile with arson on Tuesday after he allegedly set a fire at an Oakland home while a family of seven was inside.
[RELATED: Seven Escape Injury in Oakland House Fire as Investigators Probe Cause…]
On July 26, marshals began investigating a fire that started in a juvenile’s bedroom and caused significant damage to the home’s second floor.
There were five minors and two adults inside at the time of the blaze, but all escaped without injury after smoke alarms woke them up and alerted them.
Marshals investigated the blaze and, after conducting witness interviews and examining the scene, determined that the fire had been intentionally set.
The juvenile suspect, whose name and age have been withheld, was arrested and transported to the Long Creek Youth Development Facility in South Portland.
Though Marshals said that the fire originated inside a juvenile’s bedroom, they also said that all seven members of the family were sleeping at the time of the fire, so it is not clear whether the suspect was one of the family members.
Put him in the place for bad children and that is not the bedroom.
I feel sorry for the family — there’s a real problem when the system and people you have to go to for help are also the ones who make the decision take your child away from you. 40 years ago it was said that there should be two different departments.
I don’t know the facts here and want to emphasize that, but I do know, families, good families, who have had messed up children and how little help there is for them.