NORWICH, Conn. (AP) _ Four people have been charged with a pair of arsons in Norwich that spread to nearby homes and caused an estimated $500,000 in damage.

The Norwich Bulletin reports 45-year-old Laura MacDonald, 24-year-old Jonathan Ortiz and 18-year-olds Nicholas Fauquet and Matthew Markham are accused of setting fires on Oak Street and Lake Street in March.

Police say in both cases the group broke in and doused the buildings with gasoline. The Oak Street fire at a vacant multi-family home spread to three others, temporarily displacing more than two dozen people.

Police Sgt. Peter Camp says it appears the fires were set out of boredom or for the thrill of watching them burn.

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Information from: Norwich Bulletin, http://www.norwichbulletin.com

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