Two 16-year-old boys were arrested on Thursday, Sept. 5 on suspicion of setting off fireworks in Riverside that led to the Hawarden fire that burned nearly 600 acres, destroyed six homes and forced scores of families to flee.
The fire raged through a section of Riverside on July 21, consuming around 527 acres, destroying six homes and damaging 18 others, Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said during a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Of the 18 homes – 13 of them inhabited – seven had major damage and eight vehicles were lost, Fire Chief Michael Moore said.
The fire was fully contained on July 29.
Arson investigators determined the fire was caused by fireworks after surveillance footage captured three teens in a silver pickup truck that were setting off the fireworks in a field near where the blaze originated — in an area bordered by Alessandro Boulevard, Overlook Parkway and Victoria Avenue, Moore said.
“The fireworks that they ignited were not only illegal in Riverside, but are classified as dangerous in the state of California,” said Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “These are not fireworks that can be obtained legally, even in counties where fireworks are legal.”
Authorities filed 27 charges of willful and malicious fire setting against the teens.
The third boy, also 16 and a resident of Northern California, was not arrested on Thursday, but charges were filed with local authorities, said Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback.
Details about the boys were not released by authorities because of their ages.
The blaze cost the city at least $1.5 million, Moore said, with the damage to the affected homes estimated to be around $28 million.
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