Two teens suspected of starting Escondido brush fire with Molotov cocktail

ESCONDIDO (KUSI) – 7:36 a.m. – Two teens were expected to face charges Thursday after their homemade Molotov cocktail sparked a brush fire that burned around 10 acres in Escondido.

The fire started around 8 p.m. Wednesday night in a riverbed in the area of Platanus and Gracilor drives. Authorities stated that the fire was roughly 50 percent contained as of 12:30 a.m., and was expected to be fully contained later Thursday morning.

The two suspects, a 13-year-old male and a 14-year-old male, were tracked down later in the day by police and admitted to making the Molotov cocktail.

The two were taken into custody on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire, but were later released to their parents. The District Attorney's Office will now review the case.

Wednesday 10:34 p.m. – A brush fire burned off Platanus Drive Wednesday night on the northeastern side of Escondido.

About 10 acres were burned, but strike teams were able to stop the flames from spreading.

Shortly after the fire started, multiple homes were threatened and there were voluntary evacuations for houses in that area.

Cal Fire said those homes were no longer threatened later in the evening. 

This is still a developing story. Information will be added as it becomes available.