Lighter led to West Plains brush fire

The cause of a brush fire near a West Plains mobile home Saturday evening was apparently caused by some childs’ play.

Fire investigators have found that the initially reported 50-acre brush fire, now downgraded to 12.5 acres, was started by two children who were playing with a lighter. Both children are under 12-years old and will not face any criminal charges or citations.

“It’s the department’s stance that 12-years olds are not responsible for their own actions so very rarely do we seek cause for recovery or issue any citations for a fire like this,” Department of Natural Resources forester...