Chattanooga boy tries to set duplex on fire with cereal box, authorities say

Police find boy hiding in trash can

A boy was arrested on arson charges outside this Chattanooga duplex. Google photo.
A boy was arrested on arson charges outside this Chattanooga duplex. Google photo.

A boy was arrested after investigators say he tried to set a duplex on fire using a cereal box.

On Sunday, a maintenance worker noticed the 15-year-old trying to set fire to the box and an old shirt next to a dryer vent outside a duplex, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department.

When the man tried to confront the boy at the 5102 Woodland View Circle address, the boy ran away. Police later found him hiding nearby in a garbage can, the release said.

The boy was charged with arson and taken to the juvenile detention center.

No one was injured, and other than a little smoke in one apartment, the fire caused no damage, the release said.

Upcoming Events