December 30, 1961 Independent Journal

Tunnel Fire Boy Sent For Treatment

One of the boys aged 12 and 13, who set the disastrous railroad tunnel fire in San Rafael last July has been sent to Clearwater Ranch, a private treatment center in Mendocino County, Chief Probation Officer Walter Busher disclosed yesterday. The 12-year-old left Marin Juvenile Hall this week for an indeterminate stay at the Clearwater Ranch. The 13-year-old, who is still at Marin Juvenile Hall, will be transferred to the juvenile hall in Sonoma County next week because his parents have moved to that county, Busher reported. His placement has not been decided as yet. Last September Judge Richard M. Sims Jr., juvenile judge, ordered both boys to be placed in custodial institutions for psychotherapy. The fire, set inside the Northwestern Pacific railroad tunnel at Puerto Suello Hill just north of San Rafael, destroyed the tunnel and claimed the life of an Alto fireman. Fireman Frank Kinsler and his truck were sucked into the blazing tunnel when pavement collapsed from under them