A two-alarm fire in Martinez that destroyed one home and threatened at least a dozen more Wednesday was caused by three teenage boys playing with a flaming tennis ball, investigators announced.
The Cambark Court fire actually originated in the backyard of a neighboring home on Arthur Road, Con Fire officials said Thursday.
An investigation revealed that the three teens had a fire in a pit they had dug in the backyard. They ignited a tennis ball and played stick ball with it. One of the boys hit the burning tennis ball into some dry vegetation, causing the grassfire, officials said.
The blaze scorched one home and a surrounding yard where numerous vehicles were stored.
The sounds of explosions coming from the scene of the fire were caused by vehicles and propane tanks burning, officials said.
The teens were released into the custody of their parents because of the accidental nature of the fire and their clean criminal records, according to authorities.
Fire investigators said they will send the case to the Contra Costa County Juvenile District Attorney and the Youth Fire Setter program.
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