2 teens nabbed in massive Millbrae Community Center blaze

Dozens of firefighters battled an early morning blaze Thursday that destroyed the Millbrae Community Center. Dozens of firefighters battled an early morning blaze Thursday that destroyed the Millbrae Community Center. Photo: Kevin Schultz / The Chronicle Photo: Kevin Schultz / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close 2 teens nabbed in massive Millbrae Community Center blaze 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Two teenage boys were arrested in connection with a fire last week that destroyed the Millbrae Community Center, but the suspects told investigators they didn’t intend to burn the town’s most popular gathering spot to the ground, officials said Monday.

The boys, ages 16 and 17, are Millbrae residents and were arrested Friday on suspicion of arson after a probe by the Central County Fire Department, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Millbrae Mayor Anne Oliva praised investigators for quickly finding the teens.

“At this time, I ask that we hold back judgment until all the details and evidence emerge,” Oliva said in a statement Monday.

The blaze started just before 4 a.m. Thursday at the community center at 477 Lincoln Circle, a meeting point for community groups and home to popular youth summer camps, child care programs, classes for senior citizens and brown bag food programs.

The ignition point was found to be an exterior wall.

“At this stage of the investigation, the evidence gathered suggests that the juveniles did not intend to deliberately set the community center on fire and suggests a foolish act of reckless behavior,” the Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Officials said the two boys were interviewed by detectives and booked into the San Mateo County Youth Services Center. Their names were not released.

The case was turned over to county prosecutors for a decision on possible charges.

Bill Hutchinson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: bhutchinson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @bill_hutchinson