(Red Oak) – A 14-year faces arson charges in connection with a house fire in Red Oak late last week. According to reports, the male juvenile was charged with 1st degree arson – a class B felony – following a joint investigation conducted by the Red Oak Fire and Police Departments, and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office. His case was sent to the Juvenile Court System for further processing.

The blaze took place Friday afternoon at 604 Miller Avenue, in Red Oak. Firefighters arrived on the scene a little after 3 p.m. found fire in an upstairs bedroom. The flames were contained to that room, but the house sustained significant smoke and water damage. The home’s occupants safely evacuated before firefighters arrived. One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and transported to the hospital to be checked out.

Firefighters from Villisca, Stanton, Essex and Elliott provided mutual aid. MidAmerican Energy, Montgomery County Emergency Management, Red Oak Police, the American Red Cross and Montgomery County Memorial Hospital also assisted Red Oak’s Fire Department.