Volusia County teen charged with arson after burning Christmas tree sparks brush fire

SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. — A Volusia County teenager is facing charges after police say he intentionally set a fire that quickly grew out of control.

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South Daytona Police and Fire crews were called to the area of Oaklea Dr. and Reed Canal Rd. just after 1 p.m. Monday for reports of a brush fire.

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Police say the fire spread to a nearby neighborhood, causing minor damage to one home in the area.

With help from crews from Port orange and Daytona Beach Shores, firefighters had the blaze under control by 3 p.m.

No injuries were reported in the fire.

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According to South Daytona Police, witnesses reported seeing four kids running from the area of the fire just before emergency crews arrived on scene.

Police located the kids and brought them back to the fire scene to be interviewed while firefighters worked to put out the flames.

After an investigation by the State Fire Marshal, police determined that just one of the kids had set a Christmas tree on fire in the woods nearby, but it quickly grew beyond his control.

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The boy was charged with one count of arson and another count of intentional or reckless burning of lands.

The police department’s investigation is ongoing. They’re asking anyone who may have additional information on the incident to call the South Daytona Police Department or the State Fire Marshal.

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