Officials: Boy, 7, started house fire with lighter
CLEARWATER (AP) – Authorities say a fire that destroyed a Gulf coast home was started by a 7-year-old boy playing with a lighter underneath a bed.
Firefighters called to the Clearwater home found the residence engulfed in flames Saturday evening. Two adults and eight children were living in the house. None were injured.
The Red Cross is helping the family find a place to stay.
The boy investigators say started the fire with a lighter will be referred to a fire-setter program for intervention. No charges are expected to be filed.