UTICA, N.Y. – Authorities investigating a fire on Mary Street earlier this month, say it started after a 7-year-old lit an object on fire in the back yard, which spread to the house.
Utica police say the case will be handled in Oneida County Family Court, and they will not be releasing information about the child or the charges.
Fire crews were called to the multi-family home on Mary Street around 3 p.m. on Aug. 15, where six people had jumped out of windows on the upper floors to escape the flames. Eight people in total were taken to the hospital with various injuries, including bone fractures and burns.
The fire severely damaged the home, and the roof collapsed. Fire crews were able to contain the fire before it spread to neighboring homes.
