2 Children, Ages 11 And 12, Charged In Baltimore Co. Apartment Fire

PIKESVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- Baltimore County police say arson is to blame for a massive apartment fire in Pikesville. Now two children, not even teens yet, face charges for allegedly setting the blaze.

Derek Valcourt with more on the charges and what happens now to dozens of people displaced.

Because of the suspects' ages, police can't release their identities. They can only say they are 11 and 12 years old and that they are now in a heap of trouble.

By the time firefighters got to the Millbrook Park Apartments Wednesday evening, the flames spread to three buildings and could be seen shooting from the roof.

RELATED: 24 Families Displaced After Baltimore Co. Apartment Fire

"They said, 'Get out!' And so I get out," one woman said.

The Red Cross is now assisting dozens of people whose apartments were damaged in the three-alarm fire.

"Thank God no one was killed or hurt," said Elsie Jones, neighbor.

Baltimore County police announce they've arrested an 11 and 12-year-old, accused of intentionally starting that fire in a pile of trash and mattresses behind the apartments.

"It's five o'clock in the afternoon. There are likely to have been a lot of people around. We had no problems finding witnesses that pointed us to the suspects," said Cpl. John Wachter, Baltimore County Police Department.

At the site Thursday, cleanup was well underway.

Apartment complex managers refused to allow WJZ on the property. Security guards asked us to leave, but neighbors had plenty to say. They're glad the kids are being held accountable

"But the parents must be also responsible," one man said.

"And another thing, trash cans shouldn't be close to the building, I guess," said Alex Sablin, neighbor.

Some have started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for those now out of home.

"It could have been any of us, so we just want to make sure that these families are well taken care of in anything that they may need," said William Cottman, Reaching Our Community's Kids.

Damages from the fire are estimated at about $500,000.

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