OGDEN — Two boys playing with gasoline ignited a fire that destroyed a house and displaced eight people Friday afternoon, fire officials say.

The fire began on the porch of the house and quickly spread into the exterior of the home, said Ogden City Fire Chief Mike Mathieu. The first arriving fire engine was dispatched from a station only four or five blocks from the house, and Mathieu said that it was obvious to crews as soon as they left the station that they would be fighting a serious fire.

"Three of the residents, two women and a baby, were asleep when the fire began," Mathieu said. "They told us they were aroused by the sound of fire engines approaching and fortunately they were able to get out safely."

The home at 561 22nd St. is being considered a total loss. It was divided into three apartment units, though one was unoccupied. All seven residents were able to evacuate safely before the fire spread. A second home, only 10 feet from to the west from where the blaze began, also caught fire and suffered significant damage in the attic and exterior of the roof. The second home was occupied, but the male occupant was not injured. Mathieu estimated that damage to the first home ranged between $85,000 and $100,000 with damage to the second home at approximately $65,000.

Mathieu said witnesses reported seeing two juveniles on the front porch where the fire began, dumping gasoline. Mathieu said neither of the boys lived in any of the units at the house, but they were friends with another boy who lived there with his parents.

"The two just showed up and it was determined gas was spilled on the porch and one of them lit it," Mathieu said.

Mathieu said that one of the boys had been involved with a fire-related incident in the past.

One of the juveniles was burned on his leg and was treated by paramedics at the scene Friday. He was transported to a local hospital for further treatment, but is expected to be fine.

The eight persons displaced by the fire are all staying with relatives. The American Red Cross was at the scene assisting and will help the victims with essentials such as food, clothing and medications. A total of 20 firefighters fought the blazes for over an hour. The Ogden Police Department will investigate.

e-mail: cnorlen@desnews.com