Teen charged with arson in residential fire
According to Cape Coral police, a 13-year-old has been arrested and charged with first degree arson for a residential structure fire that occurred Tuesday night.
Robert Fredrick Archbell was arrested by police after investigators with the Cape Coral Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office determined that a small fire at 1525 N.E. 35th Terrace was set intentionally.
According to reports, at 7 p.m., Cape Coral Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call about a fire at the residence on Northeast 35th Terrace. When firefighters arrived on scene, the fire was out. However, firefighters were suspicious about the cause and requested fire investigators and police to respond to the scene. Investigators found that the fire had been set on the lanai using a vase filled with flammable liquid. There was smoke damage to a pillar on the lanai as well as the concrete ceiling and roof. Damage cost was minimal. The home also showed evidence of previous fire attempts, including a burned shirt in the driveway and burned paper in the side yard.
Post-Miranda, Archbell reportedly told investigators that while his 13-year-old friend was on the computer, he took a vase with gasoline into the kitchen to light it. Because of previous attempts at starting fires, his parents did not keep lighters or matches in the home, reports said.
Archbell reportedly told police he lit a toothpick off the stove and then lit a candle. He then said he lit the vase and carried it to the lanai. Archbell claimed that he also was reheating popcorn in a plastic bowl in the house. He said he smelled the bowl burning, so he left the vase on the lanai and went in to remove the bowl. According to police, he then claimed that he dumped the popcorn in the trash and hurled the bowl onto the lanai. Archbell said the bowl hit the vase, knocking it over and spreading its flammable contents across the lanai. He then called for his friend to help him extinguish the fire.
Investigators found two cans of Lysol on the lanai and asked Archbell about the items. Police said Archbell claimed that he was using the Lysol to put out the fire.
Following questioning, investigators believed that Archbell intentionally set the fire on the lanai while his 13-year-old friend was inside the residence. Because the home was occupied, Archbell was charged with first degree arson.
Cape Police Officer Daniel Barbour arrested Archbell and transported him to the Juvenile Assistance Center.