Authorities say that 2 boys completely destroyed $60,000 worth of a school’s playground equipment in a fire this weekend.
Two boys, ages 10 and 11, are both facing arson charges after being accused of setting the playground on fire just before 4 pm on Sunday.
Officers and firefighters responded to the playground at Boulder Bluff Elementary School and found the play equipment completely engulfed in flames.
Firefighters say it appeared the fire was intentionally set.
According to a police incident report, the boys were caught on surveillance video starting a fire underneath the slide. The fire quickly spread and boys ran off.
Goose Creek officers tracked down 2 young boys and saw the boys wearing the same clothing from the footage. Both confessed when they were questioned with their parents present at the police station. One of the boys said he used a red lighter that he found on the street but had thrown it away at an unknown location.
The 11-year-old was charged with Arson 3rd Degree and released to his parents. The 10-year-old was counseled and was initially released to his parents.
The 10-year-old originally wasn’t going to be charged because of his age, but late Monday afternoon, Goose Creek police said he will be charged with Arson 3rd Degree.
Police say they consulted with the Ninth Circuit Solicitor and decided on the charge due to the severity of the damage caused by the fire.
Goose Creek officers tracked down 2 young boys and saw the boys wearing the same clothing from the footage. Both confessed when they were questioned with their parents present at the police station. One of the boys said he used a red lighter that he found on the street but had thrown it away at an unknown location.
The 11-year-old was charged with Arson 3rd Degree and released to his parents. The 10-year-old was counseled and was initially released to his parents.
The 10-year-old originally wasn’t going to be charged because of his age, but late Monday afternoon, Goose Creek police said he will be charged with Arson 3rd Degree.
Police say they consulted with the Ninth Circuit Solicitor and decided on the charge due to the severity of the damage caused by the fire.
Estimated damage to the playground equipment was increased from $50,000 to $60,000 on Monday. Click here to see more photos from SCONFIRE.com
