Officials: 17-Year-Old Firefighter Charged With Arson

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that a fire late Monday evening in Port Penn, DE was Arson, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Fox.

Fox said on February 25, 2019, just before midnight, the Port Penn Fire Company was notified of a fire on the Fort DuPont Nature Trail, in Port Penn. Upon arrival, they found two historic buildings damaged. One building, the Cleaver Muskrat Shack, was destroyed by the fire. Another building, the Floating Cabin, was also damaged. The fire department quickly extinguished the blaze.

Fire damage to the buildings is estimated at $20,000. The historical loss cannot be determined at this time. The buildings date back to the 1850’s and were the last known structures of their kind.

State Fire Marshal deputies were called to the scene to investigate and determined the fire was intentionally started, said Fox. With the assistance of the Delaware Natural Resources Police Division of Parks Enforcement, Deputy Fire Marshals were able to arrest and charge a 17-year-old male for intentionally starting the fire. The juvenile, who was a member of the Port Penn Fire Company, was charged with felony Arson 2nd degree, felony Attempted Arson 2nd degree and felony Criminal Mischief. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance to his parents

Photos of the buildings can be viewed here.

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