by Jonathan Lemire, Kate Nocera and Joe Kemp
A 14-year-old boy was collared Friday for sparking a fatal fire in Brooklyn Wednesday, the Daily News has learned.
The teen was arrested after being grilled by cops about the 10:30 p.m. Decatur St. blaze that claimed the life of Eddie Ortiz, 35, FDNY sources said.
The boy, who lives on the main floor of the Ocean Hill brownstone, had originally told investigators that he saw an intruder just before the deadly inferno.
Before being taken into custody, the teen told The News he heard a squeaking noise in the back room and saw a man run downstairs and vanish into the night.
"I was going to chase after him, but then I smelled smoke," he said.
The teen was charged with second-degree manslaughter, reckless endangerment and arson.
Two of the victim's relatives - Paco Ortiz, 81, and Nydia Ortiz, 41 - were also injured in the fire. Both are in critical, but stable condition at Interfaith Medical Center, officials said.
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