Posted by JD Anderson on April 02, 19104 at 09:16:44:
The other day the Fire Marshal came by to interveiw my some about a fire in our small community under construction. My son, 13, stated that he and his friend, 12, were playing in the homes under construction (we did not know this was going on). He said they found a cigarette lighter in the street and when they were in the upper floor of a home that was all wood and fiberglass insulation they lit a small piece of cardboard on fire in a bath tub. The flames set the insulation on fire and the fire surrounded them quickly. They fought the fire by kicking at it but it grew too hot and they realized they were in trouble and ran all the way home. The fire completely consumed the home in minutes and set the one next to it that was also vacant but completely finished on fire. Both homes burned to the ground. Estimated damage is $1M.
My wife and I are like walking dead... numb. She can't eat. My son doesn't seem to even yet realize the gravity of what happened. The other boy confessed to the Fire Marshal as well and the parents of this boy (who we have now met) are torn up as well.
Now we are waiting for some kind of hammer to drop. I would like to get my son some therapy... into a program of some sort. I feel like there is something I can do for him though I am not sure what at this point. I suppose when asked to pay restitution I will be a hard working pauper for the rest of mine and my family's life?
Any advice would be much appreciated.