Four girls aged 12 to 16 are facing criminal charges after a suspected arson attack severely damaged several homes in Oshawa earlier this month.

The fire broke out around 5 a.m. on October 6 at a residence located in the area of ​​the Eddystone and Okanagan trails, Durham Regional Police said in a news release Tuesday.

The house was then occupied. Everyone inside was able to escape safely and no injuries were reported, police said.

The fire is estimated to have caused more than $2 million in damage to multiple properties, according to police.

The four girls, all from Oshawa, were arrested Sunday.

Three of the girls, ages 12, 15 and 16, each face one count of arson with disregard for human life, mischief under $5,000 and intimidation by threats of violence. Meanwhile, another 15-year-old was charged with arson with disregard for human life and mischief valued at less than $5,000.

All four were held for a bail hearing, police said.

Fire breaks out at inverted doors of house: Durham Police

Durham Police Constable. Nicholas Gluckstein said a fire started near the reverse sliding doors of a residence, eventually spreading to the entire house and several other homes.

Durham Police Constable. Nicholas Gluckstein claims there was an altercation between the four accused girls and the owners of the targeted home before the fire. (Yan Theoret/CBC)

Property damage over $2 million falls under arson charges, he said, while mischief under $5,000 includes damage to the rear of the house.

“I don’t think anyone intended for a fire to engulf the entire residence, but starting a fire, in any capacity, is obviously illegal,” Gluckstein said. “Such are the unfortunate consequences of this misdeed.”

Gluckstein said there was an altercation between the four accused girls and the homeowners before the fire.

Joshua Sonnylal, who lives on Eddystone Path, said the girls threw eggs at the targeted house and threw a rock through the patio door before lighting the fire.

He said the community was shocked by the girls’ ages.

“We knew they were young, but we didn’t know they were so young. A lot of people can’t find the words,” Sonnylal said.

He said the property management hired security guards to patrol the area at night after the fire.

“But these kids aren’t afraid of the police, which scares us even more, because if you’re not afraid of the police, what’s a security guard going to do?” he said.

People leave area after fire, neighbors say

Sonnylal said a number of people, including tenants, left the area after the fire.

Although the community is still shaken, he said he’s glad the girls were arrested.

“They need to understand that their actions have consequences,” he said. “We hope they are charged to the fullest extent so they can understand that what they did was wrong.”

Zia Mahmood said he had to leave his house for seven days after the fire. He said the community held a fundraiser for two affected families on Sunday. (Yan Theoret/CBC)

Neighbor Zia Mahmood said he had to leave his house for seven days after the fire.

On Sunday, he said the community held a fundraiser for two affected families, both of whom had young children. One of the families is considering moving because they are worried about the psychological impact on their children, he said.

“It was a very sad and very worrying thing for the whole neighborhood,” Mahmood said.

Anyone with information about the fire or video that could help the investigation is asked to contact Durham Police or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.