A 14-year-old male juvenile is being held in connection with an apartment fire that occurred Thursday afternoon.
According to police reports, the fire at 1405 West Main Street started in the basement and spread to the main level of the two-apartment structure.
When the fire started, there were eight children at home, all of whom were able to exit the building and seek help at a nearby residence.
A neighbor told police that she heard a loud explosion followed by a cloud of white smoke coming from the basement and saw a young male exit the basement wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, running southeast.
Officers eventually found a person matching that description and after a short investigation determined that this was the male wanted in the case.
Investigators also learned that the juvenile and his mother had lived in that building earlier so he was familiar with the residence.
The motive for setting the fire is still under investigation and the juvenile is facing charges of first-degree arson.
As of Friday he was being detained at the Prenger Family Center.
The two families that resided in the duplex were displaced are receiving assistance from the Red Cross.
EARLIER COVERAGE
Jefferson City police detectives are investigating what fire officials described as a "suspicious" house fire, that occurred Thursday afternoon.
The fire at 1405 West Main St. was reported at 3:16 p.m.
Two families occupied the duplex and an unknown number of children were at home at the time of the fire.
An older sister heard a smoke detector go off and got all the children out safely.
There were reports of explosions inside the home before firefighters arrived, but fire officials think it may have been ammunition stored in the basement that was going off due to the fire.
The basement, where the fire originated, was completely gutted by the fire. The first floor was deemed uninhabitable and the second floor had smoke damage.
Fire officials estimated the home suffered $50,000 in damage.
One firefighter did suffer an injury to one of his arms after falling down some stairs. He was treated at the scene and later sought further medical attention.