Two boys have been arrested on charges of arson and burglary in connection with a house fire at 618 Gillespie Road, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Capt. Andrew Waters with the Fire Investigation Division charged the boys, ages 11 and 14, with starting the May 3 fire that displaced a mother and eight children. Waters said the boys broke into the home while the family was away, stole personal items, vandalized the home and set it on fire. Waters said the fire caused significant damage before firefighters got the blaze under control.
After issuing the charges Thursday, Chattanooga police transported the boys to the Juvenile Detention Center for booking. Capt. Anthony Moore and Lt. Henry McElvain assisted with the investigation.