A Dearborn resident called police on Thursday, Sept. 13, when he realized that several teenagers had attempted to start a fire in the woods near his home, according to Dearborn police reports.

A landscaper at the home, located on the 400 block of River Lane, said he saw three male teens walking down the path from the street into the woods near the Rouge River. A short time later, he told police, he heard one of the teens yell "Haha, call the fire department."

The homeowner then went into the woods to investigate. The teens were gone, but he found a dead tree stump that was smoldering.

The resident attempted to put the budding fire out, but was unable to.

In addition to police, the Dearborn Fire Department also responded to the scene and finished putting out the fire.

For questions on this crime report, email dearborn@patch.com.