Two Cambridge Youths Are Charged With Arson

Two 12-year-old boys faced charges yesterday in connection with a Cambridge five-alarm blaze that damaged a store, hair salon and two-family home, police and fire officials said.

The youths, who were not identified because of their age, were arrested Tuesday night after witnesses reported two juveniles carrying kerosene fled the scene of the blaze near Central Square, police said.

Fire Capt. Ernest De Angelis said 77 firefighters fought the blaze that broke out at 7:48 p.m. Firefighters and equipment from neighboring Medford, Lexington, Brookline, Somerville and Boston helped, he said.

No serious injuries were reported, but one Cambridge firefighter suffered a cut knee, De Angelis said.

The two boys were to be arraigned in a juvenile session of Cambridge District Court on charges of delinquency by reason of arson, said Police Lt. Thomas Benson.

"They were booked and released to their parents, both of them," he said.

De Angelis said the fire caused severe damage to the buildings and estimated about $125,000 in damages.