Georgia Teen Accused Of Intentionally Starting Fire That Killed 10-Year-Old Sister

A 15-year-old boy in Georgia has been arrested for intentionally setting fire to his home and killing his younger sister.

Emergency officers responded to a report of a house fire Sunday morning and found two children and their mother standing outside their home in Loganville, which was engulfed in fire. The officers searched inside the single-storied residence as two other children, aged 10 and 15, were believed to be trapped inside.

"After the fire was brought under control, a 10-year-old female victim was located deceased in a room used as a bedroom without window access," Lt. Justin Wilson, a fire department spokesperson said, reported Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The firefighters searched through the charred debris for hours for the missing teenager. However, he was located in another location later and did not appear to be injured, officials said.

"At this time, it has been determined the fire was set intentionally by a sibling of the deceased victim," a police spokesperson said.

The unidentified 15-year-old was then taken into custody on felony murder and malice murder charges. The teenager is likely to face arson charges pending an investigation by the fire department, Crime Online reported.

The children's father, William McCue, and another teen sibling who lived in the house were out for work when the fire broke out. Two cats were also found dead inside the house.

The building suffered extensive damage from the blaze throughout the front half and the attic. The house had fire alarms but they were not activated during the incident, police said.

The Gwinnett police are investigating the girl's death as a homicide. However, the motive behind the fire is unknown.

"This is still an active investigation and is being treated as a homicide. Gwinnett police detectives are working closely with arson investigators throughout the duration of this investigation," the spokesperson added.

An Illinois man was arrested last month for allegedly killing his pregnant girlfriend and her unborn child before setting her home on fire to hide the evidence. Matthew Plote, a firefighter from Malta, is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and residential arson for murdering his girlfriend, 27-year-old Melissa Lamesch, just two days before she was due to give birth.