By Alesha Capone
A FIRE caused around $20,000 damage to a Sunshine West garage last week, after a teenage boy allegedly started the blaze accidently.
On Saturday 9 April around 8.50pm, the 13-year-old was visiting family in Whiteside Ave when he apparently began playing with a cigarette lighter in the garage.
Police said they believed the boy was melting plastic, when he dropped a piece, which in turn caused accelerant in a container to catch fire.
The child attempted to put out the fire with water, which only made the blaze worse.
Police said the boy then ran and alerted his family to what was happening, but the fire developed and caused around $20,000 worth of damage.
MFB firefighters contained the blaze to the garage and investigators decided there were no suspicious circumstances, declaring the incident an accident.
Police advised people to ensure they stored flammable liquids properly and kept dry-chemical extinguishers nearby, as well as supervising children at all times.
