Tragedy was averted thanks to the watchful eyes of Good Samaritans when two teenagers were nabbed post haste after allegedly setting a building on fire in Rancho Cucamonga, officials said.

The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department reported that on the afternoon of May 3rd, two male juveniles, one 14 and the other 16, rushed away from what quickly became an inferno at Red Hill Community Park. Witnesses caught sight of the suspects fleeing and thanks to their alertness, were able to give a clear description to the responding deputies. The quick-acting community members spotted the juveniles taking refuge in a nearby restaurant, no doubt thinking they had escaped the heat.

Upon arrival at the scene of the crime, deputies wasted no time, locating and detaining the suspected arsonists who were still in the vicinity. The teens weren't just found lounging, they were in possession of stolen property taken from the burnt-out structure, according to the sheriff’s department.

The suspects were spirited away to San Bernardino Juvenile Hall, where they were booked on charges that would make any parent's heart sink, burglary and arson. If the allegations hold water under the judicial scrutiny, these youths could be facing a reckoning that will disrupt the trajectory of their young lives. The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department recognized the pivotal role that community vigilance played in this incident, openly expressing their gratitude for those who reported what they observed.

For those who know more than what's seen on the surface, authorities are urging them to come forward. Information can be shared anonymously through the WE-TIP hotline at (800) 78-CRIME or through their website, as advised by Deputy D. Rusk of the Rancho Cucamonga Station. With the suspects now facing the music, it's anyone's guess what further details might emerge from the ashes of this incident.