No one was injured in the blaze, which happened at about 7:56 a.m. at 3420 NW 4th Court in unincorporated Broward near Fort Lauderdale, according to Capt. Dave Erdman of the Broward Sheriff's Office fire-rescue division.
The fire caused $90,000 in damage, and left three adults along with seven children in a temporary shelter provided by the American Red Cross.
The family includes seven children of various ages, two women, and one man, Erdman said.
The Red Cross is providing the family with immediate disaster-related needs, including food, shoes, clothing, and temporary lodging. A case worker will continue to work with the family members as they plan their long-term recovery.
The BSO fire marshal's office and the state fire marshal's office say the cause of the fire is a 7-year-old who was playing with a lighter, and set bunk beds in the child's bedroom on fire, Erdman said.
The fire caused heavy damage to the rear of the home, he said. There is also heavy damage to a rear bedroom and a hall way. The house has heavy smoke damage throughout, he said.
The child who caused the fire, who has not been identified, will be enrolled in the juvenile fire-setter program, Erdman said. The educational and counseling program teaches children about fire, fire safety and the consequences of fire, Erdman said.
Most kids never have any issue with setting fires again after completing the program, he said.
''There's a big difference between arsonists and juvenile fire setters,'' he said.
