Police have referred a 9-year-old Fargo boy to juvenile detention on suspicion of setting a mattress on fire with a lighter at Conlins Furniture Thursday night.
Authorities arrived at the store, located at 909 45th St. S.W., around 7 p.m. to find that employees at the store had already extinguished the fire, according to a fire department report.
The fire was discovered after a group of juveniles who had been "causing problems" in the store were asked to leave, according to fire department officials.
"On the way out it appears that they started a comforter on fire" on one of the beds, said Assistant Fire Chief Dean Meyer.
Police were called to search for the five juveniles, some of whom returned after firefighters arrived, Claus said.
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The boy was referred on charges of reckless endangerment, arson and criminal mischief for the incident, said Fargo police Lt. Pat Claus.
No one was injured, and the fire department report lists estimated damage at $2,500.
