United States (Alabama) - A suspicious blaze and two pre-teens stuck 70 feet up a tree kept firefighters in Limestone County busy Sunday. Athens Fire and Rescue Chief Danny Southard said his department responded to a house fire at Hawk's Landing Subdivision at 9:56 a.m.

"The homeowner came home and opened the door and found the living room burnt," Southard said. "He said he left the house Saturday during the third quarter of the Alabama-Tennessee game and didn't return until Sunday morning."

The department, Athens police and state fire marshal's office ruled the fire suspicious and are investigating the cause.

Southard said firefighters were on the scene about six hours.

"I was returning home from that when I heard on the radio about something going on in Ardmore," Southard said.

That was at 4:36 p.m. Two boys, both about 12 years old, had climbed a pine tree off Reyer Road.

Up '60 to 70 feet'

"They got about 60 to 70 feet in the tree and were afraid to come back down," Southard said.

Ardmore Volunteer Fire Department's ladder truck only reached 50 feet, so Athens sent its bucket truck, which can extend 90 feet. Firefighter Gerald Franks operated the truck while firefighters Chris Gillman and Ben Clark rode the bucket into the tree.

"They had to put the bucket right in the tree to reach the boys," Southard said. "The bucket has a door, and the boys were able to climb into it."

Southard did not know how long the boys were in the tree, but said they were unharmed.

"It could have been very dangerous if no one knew where they were because it is getting cold at night," he said.

"Their grandfather made them apologize to Ardmore police, the Sheriff's Department and us. One of them told me, 'I'm sorry, sir.' The police and Sheriff's Department gave them a talking to, as well as their grandfather."

Written by The Decatur Daily