A 13-year-old boy was taken into custody after witnesses reported seeing a child setting off fireworks in the hilly canyon area where the Rancho fire ignited Monday, burning around 4 acres and forcing evacuations.
The teen was arrested on suspicion of felony reckless burning of forest land, the City of Laguna Beach announced Tuesday, July 8.
Emergency personnel responded to the fire just after 2 p.m. around Morningside Drive and Rancho Laguna Road and learned illegal fireworks may have started the blaze, city officials said.
Police rangers initially detained two juveniles who they later learned were witnesses.
Officers then found video that showed the teen light a firework and flee, city officials said.
Investigators later identified the boy and obtained warrants for his arrest and to search his electronic devices.
After the arrest, the boy was booked at Laguna Beach Police Department and released to his parents. He was not taken to Orange County Juvenile Hall because no one was injured and no structures were “impacted,” Laguna Beach police Lt. Jesse Schmidt said.
Around 100 homes were forced to evacuate, according to Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi.
Officials will submit the case to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review and to file criminal charges.
No structure damage or injuries have been reported in the Rancho fire. Forward progress was stopped Monday evening, and evacuation orders and warnings were lifted later that night.
Police ask anyone with additional information or videos to contact detectives at 949-715-0984.
