Youth Pleads Not Guilty in Fire Case

A 12-year-old Texas boy accused of starting a brush fire that destroyed six homes in San Clemente pleaded innocent Friday during an arraignment in juvenile court.

The boy was released to his father’s custody and will be permitted to return to his El Paso home. The youth, however, must appear in Orange County for a hearing Feb. 8.

He faces three counts of arson of an inhabited structure and one count of arson of a forest. The charges include destroying property worth more than $2.5 million.

The charges stem from an Aug. 1, 2001, fire that raged through Trafalgar Canyon and caused $4 million in property damage. Authorities say the boy was tossing matches into brush at the bottom of the canyon because he wanted to see a fire grow.

Fueled by ocean breezes and heavy coastal sage, the fire raced up a steep, quarter-mile slope and engulfed a million-dollar condominium complex on Cazador Lane. It jumped to a second complex and destroyed more units.

No one was injured, but dozens of residents were evacuated. Several witnesses reported seeing two or three teenagers running from the area near the beach.

The district attorney’s office said it will seek restitution from the boy’s parents.