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Teens Admit to Starting Fire Near Hollywood Sign
1-Apr-2007
Written by: Jeannine Coppola
Hollywood lights up more than usual thanks to Illinois kids’ prank.
Reuters reports that two Illinois teenagers are facing arson charges after confessing to igniting a brush fire that affected the area of Los Angeles near the famous Hollywood sign.
The 16 and 17-year-olds were vacationing with their parents on Friday, when they deliberately set off fireworks around 1 p.m. near the Oakwood Apartments. The 160-acre blaze quickly destroyed nearby vegetation and could have put an apartment condo in danger. However, Police say the landmark Hollywood sign, which is made of steel, was not affected. The fire was put out by almost 200 firefighters and water-dropping helicopters. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigos claims the boys told their parents about their plan to set the fire before they set off the fireworks and said, "They were old enough to know what they were doing."
The teens responsible for the damage turned themselves in to the Burbank police and were taken to the Los Angeles Police Department. Department Officer, Mike Lopez would not confirm whether or not the boys had been released, but stated, "They're facing felony charges of arson."
The current Hollywood sign was created in 1978. The original sign was erected in 1923 as an advertisement for a new housing complex in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles and read "HollyWoodLand".
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