By Sara Beth Williams–
The near-tragedy of a local family who experienced arson when teenage girls threw a firework inside the bedroom of the home has gained national attention, landing in People Magazine’s official online website.
The Sentinel first reported on July 1 that Citrus Heights Police arrested three juveniles on the evening of June 30 on suspicion of committing arson at a home in Citrus Heights following a dispute between the arrested individuals and another juvenile who lived at the home.
Police confirmed to The Sentinel that, following the dispute, some residents left the home, and the suspects allegedly returned to the home and ignited a fire at the house using fireworks.
The victims later released a video to local news outlets showing two teenage girls walking up to look into a window near the front walkway, lighting what appears to be a small incendiary device, and tossing something sparking inside the window. Photos of the damaged room were also posted on the family’s GoFundMe page.
The video of the incident, posted by ABC7 of San Francisco as well as other outlets, went viral, and was picked up by two more Fox stations, one in the Bay Area and one in Los Angeles, and the New York Post’s newly launched west coast arm, The California Post, before being picked up by People Magazine on July 27.
The third teen was allegedly out of the shot of the video in a waiting vehicle, but later also arrested in connection.
The bedroom that was lit on fire was discovered to be the new nursery for a baby that was due two weeks from June 30. Most of the bedroom was destroyed either from fire or smoke damage. Relatives of the family launched a GoFundMe to help raise money for the parents to be able to purchase all of the baby supplies, furniture, and gifts, all damaged in the fire.
Shortly after the incident, which was captured on the home’s camera system and shared with police, authorities were able to track down the location of the remaining juveniles involved in the dispute. After confirming their identities with the victims of the housefire, three juveniles were arrested on suspicion of causing the fire at the home.
In an update posted to the GuFundMe account on July 20, the family gave thanks to God and said Noah was able to come home to a nursery that had “clean air, painted walls, and new happy faces of Winnie the Pooh,” People reported.
The GoFundMe account has raised $28,711 as of press time, almost $9,000 over the family’s goal.
