Boy, 17, admits setting fires in Springfield Twp.

4/26/2002

A 17-year-old Toledo boy pleaded guilty yesterday in Lucas County Juvenile Court to two counts of arson and criminal trespassing. Sentencing was set for June 24.

On March 14, Springfield Township firefighters extinguished a house fire at 6836 Hill Ave., about 8:45 p.m. after someone broke into the unoccupied dwelling and started fires in several places, said Lucas County Sheriff's Detective Rob Sarahman, who worked on the case with the Lucas County Arson Task Force.

The damage was estimated at $5,000. A 16-year-old boy is charged with arson in that case, but has not been to court, Detective Sarahman said.

In February, Springfield firefighters responded to three Dumpster fires in the 6200 block of Merger Drive.

The fires were started with a lighter and pallets were thrown in to fuel the blaze. Authorities connected the 17-year-old boy with the house blaze and other fires, authorities said.