Teens Charged In Arson Fire At Abandoned West Roxbury McDonald’s

WEST ROXBURY (CBS) – Two teenagers are under arrest and a third has been summoned to court for allegedly setting fire to an abandoned McDonald’s restaurant in West Roxbury on Friday night.

Boston firefighters responded to the building at 1663 VFW Parkway at about 11 p.m.

When Boston police officers arrived on scene, firefighters told them that the rear door of the building was open, and pointed out fresh foot prints leading away from the building.

Officers tracked the footprints to the Charles River. There, with the help of State and Dedham police, officers saw three teenagers climbing out of the river on the other side.

Dedham Police Officers caught James McManus, 19, of West Roxbury behind the Irish Ale House on the Dedham/West Roxbury line. McManus, who was wearing wet clothing, was taken to Faulkner Hospital to be checked out.

Officers caught Denis Florez, 18, of Roslindale near the scene. He was also wearing wet clothing. Florez was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital the be checked out.

Mark Collins, 18, of West Roxbury showed up at the fire scene a short time later. He was barefoot and wearing wet clothing.

Police say Collins told officers that all three had been inside the old McDonald’s and accidentally started the fire.

Collins was taken to Faulkner Hospital and checked out.

Florez and Collins were both arrested and charged with Arson, Other Commercial and Breaking and Entering a Building.

McManus was summoned to court on the same charges.

The fire caused about $100,000 worth of damage, according to Boston Fire.

No one was injured.