Authorities in Belfast have charged two 19-year-olds with arson after a house fire early Friday morning was determined to have been deliberately set.
Emergency crews were dispatched to Patterson Hill Road shortly before 3:00 a.m. after receiving reports of a structure fire. When police officers and firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the residence fully engulfed in flames.
According to officials, two individuals were located near the burning structure as first responders worked to contain the blaze. Following a preliminary investigation at the scene, authorities concluded that the fire had been intentionally ignited.
The suspects, identified as Isaac Cummings, 19, and Rowan Locke, 19, both residents of Belfast, were taken into custody without incident. They have each been charged with arson in connection with the incident.
Fire crews remained at the location for several hours to fully extinguish the fire and ensure that no hotspots remained. The extent of the damage to the property has not yet been publicly disclosed, but officials described the structure as heavily damaged.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including potential motives and whether any additional charges could be filed.
Cummings and Locke were transported to the Somerset County Jail, where bail was set at $10,000 each. Both are expected to appear in court at a later date.
