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Teens Accused Of Setting Off 8 False Fire Alarms In Malden

MALDEN (CBS) - The Malden Fire Department had a busy night chasing several false alarms.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports

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Investigators say teenagers pulled the alarms on eight fire boxes overnight within 15 minutes of each other, starting at 1 a.m.

Three teens were caught at one of the scenes and detained by firefighters.

The deputy fire chief said the stunt was a waste of money and, more importantly, someone could have been hurt or killed.

Each time a box is struck, a deputy, two engines and a ladder have to respond.

And even if they suspect a call is fake, they still have to go.

"When we have a series of false alarms in the same area like that, you know what it is, it's just a matter of chasing it around, rewinding the boxes and returning to quarters," Deputy Fire Chief Bill Sullivan told WBZ-TV.

The three teens were picked up by their parents. All of them are from Everett, according to the Malden Patch.

WBZ-TV's David Robichaud reports

Several of the fireboxes have surveillance cameras above them. Investigators will look at those to see if anyone else was involved.

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