Two Yamhill County teens charged in fatal fire

WILLAMINA, Ore. (AP) – Authorities have arrested two boys in connection with a Wednesday fire that killed a 79-year-old man in western Oregon.

The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said Friday the 14-year-old grandson of the man who died in the fire and the boy’s 15-year-old friend were arrested and booked into a juvenile facility.

The grandson has been charged with murder, arson and aggravated theft. His friend was charged with attempted arson and aggravated theft.

Authorities responded to a house fire in rural Willamina early Wednesday and inside found the body of a man believed to be Dieter Aulig. A woman who lived there suffered burns and was treated at a hospital.

The sheriff’s office says investigators found a fire accelerant in the house and believe the boys conspired to steal money that was stored at the residence.

The sheriff’s office says nearly $50,000 was recovered.