Culpeper teens charged in suspicious fire

Culpeper police charged two teenagers this week with setting a Feb. 2 fire that destroyed an abandoned home, which at one time served as a stone plant office along Route 3.

Police charged 13-year-old and 14-year-old boys. Each boy faces a felony destruction of property charge and misdemeanor charges of setting a fire capable of spreading, trespassing on railroad tracks and unlawful entry. The teens were not being detained.

When police and firefighters responded to the blaze about 5 p.m., the fire was termed as suspicious. Detectives worked to determine the cause of the blaze and interviewed several juveniles at the scene.

At the height of the blaze, flames and thick black smoke could be seen miles away. The home was completely destroyed. Culpeper County Sheriff's deputies and town police blocked traffic along Route 3, as fire and rescue units fought the blaze.

The abandoned building sat on the north side of Route 3 near the Norfolk and Southern Railroad tracks.

Culpeper Police Detective Sgt. Jeff Dodson handled the investigation, with assistance from Lt. Andrew Terrill and Detective Luke Altman.

Rescue units from Culpeper County Volunteer Rescue Squad and paid county medics responded, along with volunteer fire fighters from Culpeper County Volunteer Fire Department, Reva, Salem and Brandy Station.