COLUMBIA — Columbia Fire Investigators turned a case today to juvenile authorities after an 8-year-old girl made incriminating statements about the cause of a fire in north Columbia.
The Columbia Fire Department was called at 6:41 p.m. Saturday to a fire at 1300 Haven Road. The fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes.
Interviews with neighbors led the fire investigators to a playmate of the residents' child, Battalion Chief Steven Sapp said.
He also said investigators did not determine a reason for setting the fire but did come to the conclusion that it was done intentionally. The fire began in the living room of the home.
No one was injured, but the family dog died.
The house was heavily damaged at an estimated cost of $60,000 to $70,000. The homeowner was insured, but the renters were not, Sapp said.