PORT ANGELES — Two boys have been charged with second-degree arson for allegedly setting fire to an abandoned house in Sequim last month.
The boys, who are not named because they are minors, are both 12 years old.
Charges were filed Thursday in Clallam County Juvenile Court.
The fire occurred Jan. 18 in a farmhouse that had been vacant for 10 years at 526 S. Ninth St. It was reported at about 4:45 p.m. to Clallam County Fire District No. 3.
Neither boy was injured in the fire.
The house was fully ablaze when firefighters arrived. It burned to the ground.
According to court documents, the boys were burning trash inside the residence. The fire began in the kitchen, then spread to the rest of the building, firefighters said.
Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tracey Lassus said one boy told police they attempted to “stomp out” the fire.
“It didn’t work, so they left the house,” she said.
“They were aware it was on fire.”
There was no electricity to the structure, said Fire Marshal Roger Moeder soon after the fire.
The house, which is owned by siblings Norman Dawley and Elizabeth Frankfurth, was not insured, Moeder said.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
