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The young teen was supposedly misusing a lighter and a candle in a bedroom in the attic of the home located in the 100 block of East Locust Street on Sunday around noon.
He was fueling the candle's with trash, when the teen’s fingers were burnt and the fire got away from him.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal has indicated that the cause of the apartment building fire is Accidental Incendiary Fire which is a fire in a building that was caused by human action but not deliberately set.
The event was not a criminal act, and no charges have been filed.
The Ephrata Police Department encourages parents to discuss the dangers of playing with fire with their children.
The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed each year as the result of children playing with fire.
Here are some fire safety tips from the police:
- Keep matches and lighters locked-up and away from children.
- Teach your children that fire is not a toy and to never play with matches, cigarette lighters, or multi-purpose lighters.
- Ensure your kids know what to do in case of a fire.
- Instruct them to show you any unattended matches or lighter.
- Do not use lighters as a source of amusement for a child.
- Older children should be taught how to use matches and lighters safely.
- Children should be asked to promise to use fire only in the presence of a parent.
- Never leave a child unattended in a room with a lit candle.
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