Teens arrested in fireworks-caused fire that burned several Southern California homes

Police on Thursday announced that two teens had been arrested in connection with a brush fire in Riverside that destroyed several homes in July, a fire that investigators say was started by fireworks.

At a news conference, Riverside city officials announced the arrests and said an additional teen was also charged with starting the “ Hawarden Fire .” The July 21 blaze burned about 600 acres and destroyed seven homes.

More than 1,500 people were evacuated.

Investigators later discovered that fireworks caused the fire. Fireworks are illegal in Riverside, and the fireworks used are classified as “dangerous” under California law, police said.

According to Riverside Police Public Information Officer Ryan Railsback, surveillance footage showed three teens lighting the illegal fireworks in a field nearby. A silver pickup truck captured in the footage was later found in a neighborhood, and police identified the teens as three 16-year-olds.

The three boys are facing 27 charges with the alleged arson. Only two of the teens were arrested and booked into the juvenile detention center, police said, and the location of the third was not disclosed.

No additional details, including specific charges and court dates, were immediately available.

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