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Sandra Yi Reporting A 10-year old Ogden boy admits to having started a fire that left three families homeless. The boy says he was playing yesterday with a lighter in his neighbor's backyard.
The house contains three apartments. Most of the damage is in the back corner of the home, but the floors are unstable so no one can stay there. It's all because a 10-year old boy was playing with a lighter.
A man sleeping inside heard a crackling noise and discovered his house was on fire. He grabbed a fire extinguisher to put it out, but it was too late.
Diann Robison, Neighbor: "All the flames were up. You could see it really burning."
Investigators ruled the cause as suspicious, and this morning, revealed juveniles may have been behind it.
Brandon Thueson, Ogden City Deputy Fire Marshal: "The fire, it didn't start by itself. I'll put it that way."
Mike Kelsey told Eyewitness News that his son is to blame. Ten-year old Braydon told us what happened.
Braydon "I was lighting the blanket on fire."
Mike Kelsey, Braydon's Father: "He got scared as it tried to get away. He tried to put the table over it, but it got too hot. So he came home and didn't tell anybody."
Kelsey says he was suspicious because his son has a disturbing fascination with fire. Two years ago he tried to light a friend's house on fire with lighter fluid. Fortunately, there was no damage that time, but damage to their neighbor's home totals $50-thousand.
Mike Kelsey: "It makes me cry, but you know, it makes me even less sad for my son than it does for the people that live there. It's gonna be a long time before I can pay them because I'm not working right now, but you know, it's something that I gotta deal with. I'm responsible for his actions no matter what."
He says Braydon has behavioral problems and is seeing a therapist.
Braydon: "Yeah, I'm sorry for what I did yesterday."
His dad hopes the apology will offer some comfort.
Mike Kelsey: "Hopefully they are forgiving. He's not a bad kid. I might be a bad parent but he's not a bad kid."
Mike Kelsey and his son came forward on their own. Authorities are still investigating and say they may turn this case over to the juvenile court.
As for the families who live in the home, the Red Cross has provided shelter for them.
