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Two of the youngsters were found responsible for starting the fire among old pallets and tires in an area where engines were tested during WWII in the all-concrete Building 60 of the Passaic Street complex, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said this afternoon.
All five were released to the custody of their parents following the 1 p.m. four-alarm blaze, he said.
Carlstadt, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, Mooonachie and Wallington responders were among those who joined their Wood-Ridge colleagues in putting it down.
They then summoned detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit Arson Squad, which conducted a criminal investigation jointly with Wood-Ridge detectives.
Authorities signed juvenile delinquency complaints with against two of the youths charging them with arson, failure to report or control a fire and criminal trespass and against three others for failing to report or control a fire and criminal trespassing.
Molinelli thanked Wood-Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights police for their roles in the investigation and detention of the juveniles.
PHOTOS: Shawn Hagal (I&H Photography)
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