Two teens have been charged with arson after a fire at a vacant nursing home in Mart on Monday.
One was arrested on Tuesday and the other one was arrested on Wednesday. According to Mart Police Chief Paul Cardenas, there may be a third person involved in the fire at the former Park Plaza Nursing Home.
The officer who was treated for smoke inhalation was back at work on Wednesday on light duty.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Mart police officer is recovering, along with a volunteer firefighter and a city employee after a fire believed to be arson at a vacant nursing home.
Because of a shortage of firefighters, four police officers jumped in and helped put out that blaze.
Police Chief Paul Cardenas said they know the two juveniles suspected of setting three different fires inside what used to be the Park Plaza Nursing Home that has been vacant for more than a year.
Those juveniles left evidence behind that county fire investigators can see Tuesday, and then those two suspects will likely be arrested, Cardenas explained.
"Two rooms had considerable damage, but we were able to save the building and contain the fire to those rooms," Cardenas said.
The chief was proud of the teamwork his officers exhibited to help put out that fire. Only two volunteer firefighters were initially able to respond to the call, so three officers joined Cardenas in pulling hoses and knocking in walls to help douse the flames that broke out about 5 p.m. Monday.
One of those firefighters and a city worker were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. A police officer had a more severe case and is recovering at home.
Cardenas said that facility was sold recently and was being renovated to become a drug rehab facility.
Copyright 2016 KXXV. All Rights Reserved.
