Was this arson?

RED OAK — A 12-year-old Red Oak boy is facing arson charges for allegedly intentionally starting a fire that damaged his home early Thursday morning, although some are claiming it was accidental.

According to Red Oak Fire Chief Rick Askey, the fire at 104 W. Maple was started intentionally in a second floor bedroom. Firefighters arrived at 1:45 a.m. and had the blaze extinguished within two hours.

There was extensive damage to the bedroom, and smoke damage throughout the house.

No injuries were reported, as the parents, Jennifer and Paul Mertz and their four children all escaped.

Askey said common combustibles were used to start the fire. State Fire Marshal John Ticer investigated the scene and confirmed the cause of the fire.

However, First Baptist Church Pastor Len Taylor said while the boy  may have started the fire, he did not do so intentionally. He is currently organizing a collection drive for the family which attends his church.

“I honestly feel this is an accident and I want to dispel any rumors or innuendo that he intentionally set this fire,” Rev. Taylor said.
Taylor said the boy had lit a piece of paper on fire, but thought it was extinguished.

“It wasn’t completely out,” Taylor said. “The kids then woke up to smoke in the upstairs and the smoke detector woke everyone up.”
Askey disagrees that any attempt was ever made to extinguish the fire.

“The amount of fire we had initially ... there was no attempt to put the fire out,” he said. “There was no water used or anything else to attempt to put it out.”

Askey also noted the juvenile didn’t notify anyone of the fire.

“That is something we take into consideration,” the fire chief added.
In addition to the parents and their four children, Taylor said two dogs and a recent litter of kittens also escaped from the house unharmed.

According to information sent from the Red Oak High School, clothing needed include size 16 jeans and pants and medium sized shirts for a 17 and 16-year-old boy; size three jeans and medium top for a 14-year-old girl, and a size 12 jeans and shirts for the 12-year-old boy. The mother wears a size 12 or 14 pant/jean, and large in shirts, while the man wears size 38/32 in pants and extra large shirts.

Items can be left at the high school, First Baptist Church, or the Red Oak Express.

Taylor said cash donations can also be made, and checks should be made out to the First Baptist Church.