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D.C. fire investigators are charging a 14-year-old boy with arson in connection with the two-alarm fire Wednesday night that burned four rowhouses, displacing at least 12 people and causing a half-million dollars in damages.
The boy has not been identified because he is a juvenile. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon.
The D.C. Arson Task Force confirmed that that a flammable liquid was used to set fire to the row house in the 300 block of L Street NE. More than 100 firefighters were called in to battle the blaze, which was reported about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, one of the displaced residents, 83-year-old Julia Grant, filed a police report saying a 14-year-old relative threatened to burn her house down.
"Right now, I'm numb," said Grant. "I haven't come to the realization that everything is gone. I know it's gone, but it just hasn't sunk in real good yet," said Grant.
Grant, who uses a walker to get around, says the fire took everything she had. 'Mama Julia', as she is known in the neighborhood, is staying with a neighbor. Her future, though, is uncertain.
"When I saw those flames, I said...that's Miss Grant's house," said friend Juanita Winston.
"It's really a tragedy because she's such a nice lady and doesn't deserve anything like that," said friend Willie Henderson.
Meanwhile, a business owner who doesn't even know Grant is collecting money to help her recovery.
"I think it's a tragedy and I think everybody should come out and contribute, because if that was somebody in my family, I would want them to help them out," said business owner Thay Smith.
The Red Cross is also helping out those who were displaced.
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