Teenagers admit to setting out-of-control grass fire

Published 12:00 am Monday, June 3, 2002

Austin Daily Herald

Two 14-year-old boys admitted setting a grass fire that blazed out of control Saturday.

According to an Austin Police Department report, Judy Marcks called 9-1-1, when she observed a grass fire along railroad tracks in her neighborhood.

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The Austin Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 6:35 p.m. Saturday in the 1100 block of 18th Avenue Northeast east of the Weyerhaeuser Paper Company Austin plant.

While firefighters and police officers were at the scene, bringing the blaze under control, a 14 year old boy walked up to officers and admitted setting the fire.

Sometime afterwards, the mother of another 14 year old boy arrived at the scene with her son, who also confessed to his role in the arson fire.

The boys' bicycles were discovered at the scene with fire damage and the boys had third degree burns on their hands and arms, according to the report.

A shed on the Marcks property was destroyed as well as grass and brush along the railroadright-of-way and lumber stacked near the tracks and railroad ties.

Lee Bonorden can be reached by calling 434-2232 or by e-mailing :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com