Three Teens Accused of Setting Maine Fire Facing Felony Murder Charge

Three teenagers accused of starting a fatal apartment building fire in Maine have been charged with felony murder, officials said.

Two 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old were charged last month with arson, but those charges have been upgraded to felony murder, the Maine attorney general’s office said.

The building was evacuated during the fire, but Felicien Betu, 70, was trapped on the top floor, officials said. He died from his injuries after he jumped from a window to escape the flames last month.

Felony murder is a charge that can be brought when a death occurs during the commission of a felony crime.

The juvenile’s names have not been made public, and it’s unclear which attorneys are representing them.