Cedar Rapids police say two boys set fire to portable toilet

Police said two 13-year-old boys were responsible for setting several fires early Wednesday morning, including one that destroyed a portable toilet.

Firefighters responded around 1:40 a.m. to a report of a portable toilet on fire at Kenwood Park, near the intersection of 35th Street and Zach Johnson Drive NE, and found it fully engulfed in flames. Several small grass fires were also aflame at the park, which is near Elmcrest Country Club.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said a witness saw two boys light items on fire as they were walking on 36th Street NE. About a block away, a police officer found a metal five-gallon bucket on fire. Several match sticks also were found in the area.

Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the two boys were located about six blocks away, near E Avenue and 40th Street NE. She said they tried to run into some nearby bushes when they saw police, but were apprehended.

The two boys were taken into custody on suspicion of second-degree arson and five counts of reckless use of fire, along with curfew violations. They were transported to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center.

Second-degree arson is a felony charge. Hamblin said the boys would likely be charged in juvenile court.

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