Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD - Charges are pending against three juveniles in connection with a Monday afternoon fire that destroyed a garage and shed at a Milford residence.
Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs said he interviewed several juveniles after the 1:21 p.m. fire at the Jeff and Janet Pederson residence, 105 W. Catherine St., and obtained confessions from the three against whom charges are expected to be filed. Two of the suspects are 13 years old and the third is a 15-year-old. All are male.
Milford Fire Department responded to the scene of the fire and received mutual aid from the Leesburg Fire Department. In addition to the attached garage, shed and contents - including a vehicle - being destroyed, the house sustained damage in the fire.
Hobbs said the boys involved have apparently been using the Pederson garage as a kind of clubhouse and they often went there to smoke cigarettes. The teens reportedly were in the garage on two occasions Monday morning and, on the second visit, they lit the couch on fire "just to see what it would do."
One of the teens patted out the fire on the couch before they left, but it apparently rekindled after their departure.
Damage is estimated in excess of $30,000.
