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Centralia Police arrest five juveniles for East Broadway arson fire

By News Jan 27, 2021 | 11:50 AM

Centralia City Firefighters work to put out a fire in an abandoned home at 842 East Broadway.  Five juveniles have now been taken into custody in connection with the fire.  Photo by Tim Ferguson.   

 

Centralia Police took five juveniles into custody Tuesday night in connection with what Centralia Fire Chief John Lynch believes was an arson fire set at a vacant home owned by Leslie Erb at 842 East Broadway earlier this month.

Lynch says the five were taken to the Marion County Jail and then transferred to the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center to await formal charges and a first appearance in Marion County Court.

The person reporting the fire saw two people running from the home. Centralia City Firemen were able to confine the fire to the bedroom where it began, with some smoke damage throughout the home.

The State Fire Marshal arson dog was called to the scene to assist in the initial investigation. Numerous interviews were conducted by Centralia Fire and Police officials leading up to the arrest.

The fire is one of five suspicious fires in the past few weeks. Lynch reports two of the other fires appear to have started accidentally from those who were squatting in the buildings and possibly trying to keep warm. They were at 103 Condit and 1203 South Cherry. Both received heavy damage. Lynch believes the fire that destroyed a 30 by 50-foot metal garage at 701 Johnson was also likely accidental and started by those burglarizing the building to steal parts from two vehicles inside.

The other fire that was confined to a chair in a condemned home with no front door at 410 South Walnut was believed to have been intentionally set on fire. The person who found the fire knocked it down with a tub of water that was outside the home.