Tremont City, Ohio – A 12-year-old boy has been charged with arson and assault after allegedly pouring gasoline on his brother and setting him on fire. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 14, around 8:20 p.m., in Tremont City, Ohio, after a group of children was reportedly playing with gasoline and lighting fires.
Incident Details
According to authorities, the two brothers were among the group playing with gasoline when one of them intentionally doused the other with the flammable liquid before lighting him on fire. The victim was quickly transported to the hospital with second- and third-degree burns. While the burns were severe, they were not life-threatening, as reported by The Springfield News-Sun.
The 911 call made by a witness described the situation, saying, “I need a medic … He got burned on his back really bad … him and his brother were playing with gasoline and fire.”
Investigation and Arrest
After conducting an investigation, Clark County Police determined that the act was intentional. The 12-year-old boy responsible for setting the fire was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and felonious assault. He was later placed in Juvenile Detention.
Clark County Police Lt. Kristopher Shultz confirmed the charges, stating, “Based on the circumstances of the purposeful throwing of the gasoline and the purposeful lighting of the gasoline, we did make one arrest.” The incident has raised concerns about the dangers of children playing with hazardous materials like gasoline and fire.
Warning for Parents
Clark County Police Sgt. Scott Elliott warned parents about the dangers of children interacting with flammable substances like gasoline, emphasizing that adults should be the only ones handling such materials. He stressed the importance of being vigilant when it comes to juveniles and their interactions with fire and gasoline.
“It’s always concerning when juveniles are playing with fire and gasoline. No one should play with fire. Adults should be the only ones handling gasoline,” said Elliott.
Ongoing Investigation
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is continuing its investigation into the incident, and no further details have been released at this time. They have not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment regarding the incident as of Saturday, June 21.
