Boy Charged with Burning Homes in Western Pennsylvania

An 11-year-old boy is accused of setting two fires that destroyed three homes and a laundry business in western Pennsylvania.

The boy faces a detention hearing Thursday in Washington County Juvenile Court for the fires April 8 and 11 in Donora, about 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

The boy’s name won’t be released and his court proceedings will be closed to the public because he’s under 12.

Donora police say the boy told them he used a lighter to set fire to a bag on a rear porch April 8. The fire destroyed that house and two nearby, killing several pets. Police say the boy also acknowledged setting fire to a garbage container that spread, heavily damaging the Donora Laundry Service.

No occupants were hurt in the fires.