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Arrest Made In Davie Charity Fire

DAVIE (CBSMiami) – A juvenile has been arrested and charged with arson in connection with a fire which destroyed the offices of a Davie foundation which helps families in need.

The fire occurred Saturday at the Davie Police Athletic League complex at 4300 SW 57th Terrace where the Emergency Assistance Service Effort, (E.A.S.E.) Foundation is located.

The juvenile, whose is not being released because of their age, reportedly set a garbage can on fire in an outdoor pavilion, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The fire quickly spread to a nearby building which housed E.A.S.E.'s offices and a storeroom where they were keeping food and toys they planned to distribute to families over the holidays.

Linda Owen, the director of E.A.S.E, said they were planning on helping 200 families this year. They are now working with Town of Davie to find a new location for their offices and where people drop off donations. They are also accepting cash donations which can be sent to the Davie Fire Administration Office at 6901 Orange Drive.

Operating on a half a million dollar budget from donations and grant from Davie, E.A.S.E. was founded in 1988 by the business community and residents of the Town of Davie to help those in need. Last month, they served more than 250 families with bags of groceries and Publix gift cards.

The Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report.

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