Teen faces more charges after fire

SUFFOLK, Va. - Police say the Suffolk Fire Marshal's Office secured additional petitions for a teen charged in last week's Franklin Street fire.

Now the teen faces five counts of burning or destroying personal property in addition to the original three arson charges. 

Police say the new counts stem from damage to four private vehicles and one fire truck during the fire.

From Chopper 10, plumes of smoke filled the sky as firefighters doused flames with what seemed like endless streams of water.

"Right now I'm probably just in more shock. It hasn't sunken in yet. I'm sure later it will," said Tony Pabis. Pabis and his family watched as the home they bought in 2003 to restore, slowly gave in to the flames. "I mean when we stepped out it was hot," said Barbara Cooper-Pabis.

Fire officials say the blaze began next door, in an abandoned home, now completely demolished.

"I've been keeping an eye on the house because I was always afraid something like this would happen," said Tony Pabis.

"At one time he even found gas cans and graffiti," said Barbara. Cooper-Pabis says they notified police and the city.

Fire officials told WAVY.com the owner of the home lives in Chesapeake and has been cited numerous times for code violations as recently as June 1, and will be back in court in August.

Two homes on either side of the abandoned home caught fire, including the Pabis' home. A fourth structure, a garage behind the Pabis' home also caught fire. Four firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, three had heat exaustion, another a minor burn.

"They've done a magnificent job considering what they were dealing with out here," said Suffolk Spokesperson, Debbie George.

"You're mind goes to small things like a family letter opener or pictures," said Barbara Cooper-Pabis.

Barbara says as she ran out of her house, she only considered grabbing what mattered most. "We have ourselves so we're just glad she's okay," referring to her 3-year-old daughter Barbara said.