US police charge 7-year-old boy with arson after ‘intentionally’ burning down family home while parents slept

A seven-year-old child has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson after he “intentionally” burned down his family home.

The child set the fire while their parents slept inside the home in Jackson County, West Virginia on Wednesday morning, May 24.

The fire crew responded around noon to reports of a house fire in the Elizabeth area.

The fire caused minor burns to two people, according to State Fire Marshal Robert Bailey, but everyone made it out of the house alive.

Officials shared a photo from the scene that appeared to show the property engulfed in flames.

The minor was taken into custody on Wednesday evening after the fire.

The West Virginia State Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the fire and said no further information will be released yet due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

Charges can be brought against children by citation or criminal complaint in West Virginia.