ORANGE — Three teenaged girls and a possible fourth are facing felony arson charges in relation to fires that were set at abandoned houses in the city of Orange, according to a press release from Capt. Cliff Hargrave with the Orange Police Department.
Hargrave speculates the crimes occurred because the girls “were bored.”
The first fire occurred at a garage at 902 Sholars on June 29 followed by a fire at a home at 612 Cypress Ave., on July 4. An abandoned home at 902 Sholars Ave. and another one at 1207 Park Ave. were torched July 5.
Arson was suspected in all of the incidents.  Orange Police Detective T. Hilyar and Orange Fire Department Arson Investigator J. Bilbo investigated the fires.
On Wednesday July 8, two female juveniles, ages 12 and 14, were taken into custody for the arsons. On Thursday July 9, another female juvenile, 13 years of age, was also taken into custody.  A possible fourth suspect is being investigated.
Charges of arson, which is a second degree felony, will be filed through the Orange County Juvenile Probation Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.