The suspects are facing charges including arson, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy and causing a catastrophe, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday.
Crews battle massive fire in Allentown Pa.
"Both juveniles will not be named nor will their ages be provided. Due to the age and circumstances of the offense, these charges must proceed through the juvenile system," the DA's office said in a statement.
Authorities have not revealed further details on the circumstances surrounding the fire.
READ MORE | 'The biggest fire I've ever seen': Massive 6-alarm blaze burns former furniture factory in Allentown
The blaze broke out around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of North Front Street.
Chopper 6 video showed flames engulfing the entire structure as the fire rapidly intensified.
Authorities said the fire spread across the street to eight homes. Six of those homes were destroyed and deemed uninhabitable, while two others sustained damage. Seven families were displaced.
Fire officials said intense radiant heat, not direct flames, likely caused the blaze to spread.
"It wasn't so much the flames that jumped over as much as it was radiant heat; it was that hot," said Chief Efrain Agosto, Jr., with the Allentown Fire Department. "The heat itself just basically took over."
For Robert Velez, who lived at 318 North Front Street for 35 years, the loss is deeply personal.
"This is my home," he said. He and his wife are now staying with relatives. "She's really devastated. She wants to come back home."
Neighbors described the fire as something out of a movie.
"It's terrible," said neighbor Ben Pope. "Never seen anything like this." After learning of the arrests, he added, "It's sad. They just ruined the rest of their lives- all for nothing. Affected all of these other people."
"It's just crazy that any kids did that," added Velez.
Drone video shows massive flames as a commercial building burned in Allentown
One firefighter suffered a minor injury while battling the blaze. No other injuries were reported.
As families search for temporary housing and basic necessities, the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley and partner agencies launched an emergency relief fund to support those displaced.
Neighbor Wanda Rodriguez said she believes the community will step up. "The community is going to help. I know they will," she said.
Velez has already begun collecting donations for affected residents from the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley. He and his wife run a local nonprofit, and he said helping others comes naturally.
Despite the devastation, Velez said he is determined to stay strong.
"You want everything to go right, you gotta be a little bit stronger than what you're going through," he said.
The building was the former American Atelier furniture factory, which has since relocated.
Action News has learned that a developer had received approval last year to demolish the property and construct a 16-story mixed-use building with apartments and retail space. It is unclear how the fire may impact those plans.