NY Teen Charged With Setting Fire That Killed Trapped Friend

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a 14-year-old boy accused of setting a massive fire at a western New York tire recycling plant that killed his friend never told anyone his friend was trapped inside.

Prosecutors in Niagara County say the boy, who was 13 at the time of the Aug. 10 blaze, has been charged with arson, criminally negligent homicide and trespass.

Authorities say he and 14-year-old Joseph Phillips used a ladder to scale a fence around HTI Recycling in Lockport. Officials say the teens started a fire that quickly spread to recycling material throughout the property.

Prosecutors say the then-13-year-old made it out safely without Phillips, who used his cellphone to leave a voicemail message with his friend saying he was trapped. Officials say the friend never told authorities that someone was inside the burning facility.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]