Teens charged in Buena Vista Pool fire

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The Buena Vista Pool could be open as early as next week following a fire early Thursday that knocked out electricity to the pool’s pump and destroyed the bathhouse.

Two juveniles were charged with arson, endangering others and related crimes in the fire, which was called in around 3:37 Thursday morning, Elizabeth Township police Chief David Kerestes said. 

Firefighters had the blaze knocked down within an hour, according to Buena Vista Volunteer Fire Capt. Mike Hansen, who said the Allegheny County arson investigator was called in.

Detectives responded and investigated, quickly developing information that led them to identify two 13-year-old juvenile males as responsible for setting the fire. They were both processed through the juvenile justice system with several felony charges that include arson and offenses related to manufacturing and possessing incendiary devices.

“It destroyed the bathhouse. It’s the changing room and showers. We had storage on this end with the lawn equipment,” Hansen said.

Pool chemicals were stored at the opposite end of the structure, which was not damaged by the fire, Hansen said.

“If we had been a few minutes later, it would have been a lot worse,” Hansen said. “If the chemicals had caught fire, I would have had to pull everyone back.”

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