A seven-year-old child from West Virginia has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson after ‘intentionally’ setting fire to their family home.
The child set the fire while their parents slept inside the home in Jackson County, West Virginia, on Wednesday morning, May 24.
Fire crew responded at about noon to reports of a house fire in the Elizabeth area.
Two children were treated by first responders for injuries, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Bailey.
The fire caused minor burn injuries to two people, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Bailey, but everyone made it out of the home alive.
‘This evening a 7-year-old juvenile is in custody and charged with first degree arson after the family home was intentionally set ablaze with the parents asleep inside,’ the sheriff’s office said.
‘Minor burn injuries occurred to two individuals, but everyone made it out of the home alive.’
Officials shared a photo from the scene that appeared to show the property engulfed in flames.
The juvenile was taken into custody Wednesday evening after the blaze.
The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire and said no further information will be released yet due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Charges may be brought against children by citation or by criminal complaint in West Virginia.
