A 9-year-old Yonkers boy was charged with arson Friday for allegedly lighting a firecracker that sparked a fire, leaving six families homeless. Three people had to be rescued after the flames forced them climb to the roof of their on Morningside Avenue apartment building Thursday. Five firefighters were also injured in the fire.

According to police, the boy was trying to light a firecracker in the kitchen or a nearby room. ?Apparently the firecracker didn't go off immediately and the child may have tossed it on to a bed,? said Yonkers Police Commissioner Edmund Hartnett.Some residents of the building say they are not surprised the boy got into trouble. The building owner says it's not the first time he has had problems with children who live there. Now a family court judge will decide the boy?s fate.