A Pompano Beach family faced devastation when their home was consumed by fire after authorities say a young child fiddled with matches, igniting the blaze. The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon near Northwest 10th Circle and 10th Drive, as reported by WSVN. Officials identified the fire starter as an eight-year-old boy who was playing with matches at the time, the interior of the house was left severely damaged from the flames.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue teams were quick on the scene after the fire was reported near the 900 block of Pine Drive, and while they were able to douse the flames the house sustained irreparable damage and is considered a total loss according to Local10. In the midst of this heartbreak, the silver lining was that the boy and his 14-year-old brother were able to escape harm except the boy did receive minor burns to his fingers.
The Broward family of six now finds themselves relying on the charity of the Red Cross for support and shelter; their lives irrevocably altered by a split-second child's play turned catastrophic. Fire officials have said they plan to enroll the youngster in a fire-starters class designed to educate children who have set fires on the dangers and consequences of their actions.
