By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
Two Assaria children lit trashcans on fire Tuesday evening, damaging a plastic waste receptacle valued at about $150.
A witness called the Assaria city clerk around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, after they witnessed two young boys lighting a trashcan on fire in the city park.
The clerk reported this to the Assaria City Fire Department, which Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said successfully subdued the flames.
"They were dealing with that when they found there was actually a fire in another can," Soldan said. "The second one had been dragged into a concession stand at the park and lit on fire, that can suffered about $150 in damage, but it certainly could have been worse, could have burnt the concession stand down."
Once firefighters discovered the second plastic can in flames, they contacted the Saline County Sheriff's Office around 5:52 p.m. to report the alleged arson.
Soldan said firefighters witnessed two young boys running from the area, which deputies later located and identified as a 10-year-old Assaria resident and a 13-year-old Assaria resident.
"They were both questioned and charges are being referred for arson," Soldan said.
The second trashcan set ablaze was a plastic can, causing extensive damage from the heat. The first can was metal and did not suffer any damage.
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