A 14-year-old Florida boy is accused of setting fire to a home while a family of four was sleeping inside, with investigators alleging the teen admitted he was trying to kill his teenage friend.
Emergency crews responded to a residential fire on the 300 block of Paisley Avenue in Lehigh Acres at approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Authorities said the fire was intentionally set.
When deputies and firefighters arrived, they found an open 5-gallon propane tank near the front door of the home, along with what officials described as a homemade incendiary device. Investigators said the fire blocked the front entrance, forcing the four occupants to escape through a window. No injuries were reported.
During the investigation, witnesses told authorities they saw the teen parked down the street shortly after the fire began. Officials said the boy briefly spoke with the victims, asking what had happened, before leaving the area.
The suspect was later arrested at his home. According to investigators, he admitted to transporting the propane tank to the residence, using a bottle filled with gasoline to ignite the fire, and attempting to kill one of the occupants inside the house, identified as his teenage friend.
Authorities said the suspect faces multiple serious charges, including four counts of attempted felony murder, arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling, making a destructive device, and possession or use of a weapon. He has been placed in secure detention under the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Law enforcement released body camera footage showing responders at the scene, including damage to the home’s front door and the propane tank found outside the residence.
A family member who was inside the home at the time described the incident as traumatic, saying the experience left the household fearful and struggling to sleep in the days following the fire.
Investigators said the fire was allegedly started as part of a targeted attempt to kill one individual, but noted that all four occupants were placed at risk by the act.
The case remains under investigation.