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NYC police: Teen set mattress fire out of boredom

Two police officers responding to the fire were overcome by carbon monoxide and smoke; both remain in critical condition in the hospital

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Police say a New York City teenager told detectives that boredom led him to set fire to a mattress in the hallway of his apartment building, which critically injured two officers.

Sixteen-year-old Marcell Dockery of Brooklyn was arrested Monday on charges of assault, arson and reckless endangerment. He was awaiting arraignment Tuesday. His lawyer’s name wasn’t immediately available.

The officers were responding to the fire Sunday afternoon when they were overcome by carbon monoxide and smoke. They were found unconscious in a 13th floor hallway.

Thirty-six-year-old Rosa Rodriguez remains in critical condition in Manhattan’s Weill Cornell Medical Center, and 38-year-old Dennis Guerra is in critical condition at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

Police say Dockery told detectives he tried to put out the fire and warn residents as the flames spread.

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