Both boys are facing juvenile delinquency complaints for arson, police said.
NEWTON -- Two 13-year-old boys were charged this week with setting brush fires near the Home Depot in Newton, police said.
Police responded to the area behind Hope Depot off of North Park Drive on April 6 for a small brush fire and, again, on April 12. When officers arrived at the brush fire this past Tuesday, however, the blaze was already out.
Fire wardens with the N.J. State Fire Service returned to the area the next day and observed two boys in the area of the previous brush fires using a cigarette lighter to start a fire, police said.
Both boys were detained and local police were immediately contacted. The teens are now facing juvenile delinquency complaints for arson in connection with the fires on April 12 and April 13, police said.
Both boys have been released to the custody of their parents pending appearances in Family Court.
Officers are continuing to investigate the April 6. Anyone with information can contact the Newton Police Department at 973-383-2525 or submit tips to Newton police anonymously online.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.