ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 15-year-old has admitted to setting the massive fire that destroyed a former Allentown furniture factory and damaged nearby homes and vehicles last month.
According to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the juvenile entered an admission Wednesday to charges of arson and causing a catastrophe in connection with the June 24 fire at the former American Atelier furniture factory on North Front Street.
The fire quickly escalated to six alarms after breaking out inside the vacant industrial building. Flames and intense heat damaged multiple neighboring properties and vehicles, forced residents from their homes and left hundreds of customers without electricity.
More than 100 firefighters and emergency personnel responded as portions of the factory collapsed and the fire spread across the surrounding area.
The District Attorney’s Office said the 15-year-old will remain in a juvenile facility that provides specialized treatment for individuals who intentionally set fires.
The amount of restitution owed for the extensive damage has not yet been determined.
A second juvenile was also charged in connection with the fire. Authorities said Pennsylvania’s juvenile confidentiality laws prohibit the District Attorney’s Office from releasing further details about that individual or the ongoing juvenile court proceedings.
