IFD: 3 boys with fireworks caused fire at east side apartment complex

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Fire Department said three juveniles with fireworks caused a fire at an east side apartment complex on Tuesday afternoon, displacing 12 residents. The fire was ruled intentional arson.

A news release from IFD said crews responded at 12:25 p.m. to the Villages at Mill Crossing apartment complex on the 3500 block of Mountain Laurel Place, near 38th Street and Sherman Drive.

IFD said witnesses said the boys lit fireworks in an unlocked storage closet on the backside of the building. Witnesses told IFD they heard the fireworks and saw the screaming boy run away from the area.

The news release said it took just over 30 minutes for 76 firefighters from IFD and the Lawrence Fire Department to get the fire under control. One firefighter was taken to a local hospital with a slight injury.

While the building has a working sprinkler system and smoke alarms, IFD said the route of the fire did not activate the sprinklers before it reached the attic, which is not unusual.

While no ser...