WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) -- A 17-year-old boy has been charged with two felonies after police investigated calls from witnesses who said a group of teens had been lighting each other on fire.
Ronald S. Noah of Wausau was charged Monday in Marathon County Circuit Court with second-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping, both felonies, and misdemeanor charges of negligent handling of burning material and obstructing an officer.
He was released from jail on a $500 signature bond.
Police were called to Noah's apartment Friday after witnesses reported seeing a group of teens outside spraying flammable liquid and then lighting a garage, part of a tree and then each other on fire, according to police reports.
No one was treated for injuries, but one 15-year-old came close to being burned in the face after his sweat shirt caught on fire, police said.
Officers found a can of starting fluid for a vehicle, burned garbage and a tree with withered leaves and a charred section of trunk, police reports said.
Police also arrested a 15-year-old boy who the others said sprayed another boy with the fluid. The 15-year-old was taken to the Marathon County Juvenile Facility.
Three other 15-year-old boys were cited for truancy and taken back to class at Wausau East High School, police said.
