Officials warn of dangers of playing with fire after Lubbock blaze leaves 7 homeless

Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
·1 min read

Lubbock Fire Rescued this week confirmed a residential fire that left seven people displaced Wednesday at a central Lubbock home was started by accident due to children playing with a lighter indoors.

The juvenile was referred to the Lubbock Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention program, which, according to LFR, is "a program designed to provide education and intervention to the families of the fire setter and cease and eliminate the unsafe behavior."

LFR issued a release Thursday asking the families to help prevent this type of behavior. Juveniles charged with a fire-related offense may be arrested and booked in at the Juvenile Detention Center, or a police report will be sent to the Juvenile District Attorney.

According to LRF, fire-related offenses include the following with the following punishment:

  • Reckless Damage or Destruction – Class C Misdemeanor.

  • Criminal Mischief – State Jail Felony.

  • Arson – State Jail Felony to 1st Degree Felony.

  • False Alarm or Report – Class A Misdemeanor to State Jail Felony.

  • Unauthorized Burn – Class C Misdemeanor.

While this fire resulted in no injuries or deaths, LFR said that when crews arrived on the scene, they were met with significant smoke conditions, with the bulk of the fire confirmed to one of the closets in the home. Crews were able to contain the fire with minimal smoke damage to surrounding rooms. The South Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross was called to assist the three adults and four children displaced due to the fire.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Fire Marshal determines cause of Wednesday's fire in central Lubbock