ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER STAFF WRITER
When a 6-year-old Northwest Roanoke boy accepted a 9-year-old friend's dare to throw a firecracker into a vacant house Tuesday afternoon, the boy ignited a room full of old newspapers and other combustibles in the process.
The 9-year-old boy apparently bought matches and firecrackers from a neighborhood store, then coaxed the 6-year-old into tossing the firecracker through a front window in a house at 1705 Downing St. N.W., Roanoke District Fire Chief Garry Basham said. The boys' names are not being released because of their ages, and charges probably won't be filed.
"At that age, I just don't think it's malicious," Basham said.
The one-story brick house has been vacant for at least a year. The grass is waist-high and bushes haven't been trimmed. No-trespassing signs were hung on all four sides of the house, but police told Basham vagrants frequented the house at night. Neighbors said several cats make the house their home.
The owner, who lives in Martinsville, apparently uses the house for storage space. Firefighters contained the fire to a front room within five minutes. Damages were set at $5,000.
A group of children hanging out in nearby Lincoln Terrace led firefighters to the boys responsible for the blaze. The children told a reporter they had heard about the dare and subsequent fire. A girl told firefighters she could point out the boys involved.
The boys later confessed, Basham said.
With school out, the children said, there's not much to do, except swim in the crowded pool.
Basham said the incident seemed to be an act of mischief.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB