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Four teens suspected of arson in Templeton Feed & Grain fire

July 7, 2025

Correction: The feed company Templeton Feed & Grain is partnering with is Penny Newman.

By KAREN VELIE

Authorities are looking for four teens who allegedly threw a burning object on the roof of Templeton Feed & Grain on the evening of July 4, according to co-owner Rick Jermin.

Neighboring businesses shared videos of the teens throwing a mortar or large firework on the roof shortly before the fire started. The two alarm fire burned in the grain silos and damaged interior of the concrete structure built in 1912.

Photo by Richard Bastian

Templeton Feed & Grain’s insurance company canceled its policy about three years ago, Jermin said. They were not able to find a new insurance provider.

The morning after the fire, the family considered closing the decades-long business. However, as members of the community came to the site to privide their support, the family decided to rebuild, if the county approves permits to refurbish the concrete structure.

“We want to continue,” Jermin said. “We really have a great community. I can’t tell you how thankful I am.”

Workers were able to remove a large amount of inventory before the fire spread. The family is looking for a building to rent so they can reopen while they rebuild.

Firefighters working on Sunday to control hot spots, photo by Richard Bastian

The family has partnered with a Central Valley-based feed manufacturing company, Penny Newman, to make Templeton Feed and Grain’s feed recipes.

Future plans do not include the large grain silos with plans to build smaller feed storage buildings. Following a fire in 1979, it took the family a year to rebuild Templeton Feed & Grain.

The white concrete building, photo by Richard Bastian

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Templeton Fire Department to investigate the blaze. Investigators have reached out to neighboring businesses to collect videos which include grainy images of the teens.

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Whether they are minors or over 18, they need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as ADULTS! They and their parents need to be do community service and help with the clean up and rebuilding. And full restitution. This act of violence has hurt the Jermin family and the entire Templeton Community. Someone knows something!!


15

What kind of kid would do something like this? The worse thing we did was play “Ding Dong Ditch”, Would never consider something so destructive. As kids, we once went to throw eggs at cars, but worried about the shell chipping the paint! So we cracked the eggs into baggies first!! hahaha Dump kids!

But this is way above stupid kid tricks. This will follow them for the rest of their lives. Way beyond normal kid antics.


11

Very possibly a kid with little to no hope and nothing to lose :/ Not eveyone has the same upbringing and lives fyi. Be grateful you had it good enough to be so innocent! Maybe dont be so quick to judgment and persecution. No excuses for what occured but its never black and white. The prior criminal history, or lack of, will determine the consequences. Dont get too far ahead of yourself eh.


-40

I am not without compassion, especially for kids. WE all need to be forgiven. I pray they get the punishment they need, that will render the changes necessary for each of them to become people with an understanding of how to navigate this world with integrity. Sometimes punishments are a necessary tool to inspire real change. Not that the state is always fair! They will have to fight their way out of the system for years I am sure.


7

The parents of these teenagers need to be held accountable as well


56

Any actual reasoning going into that suggestion or just looking for more people to be mad at? What if the suspects are over 18? What if their parents are no longer alive? Have you given any thought at all to any of the corresponding issues that would go along with that?


-47

Some of yall have forgotten your youth…The (misplaced)outrage and outlandish punishment suggestions are beyond goofy lol. As if none of you have ever done something wrong. Not like we dont have a sitting president with over 30 felony counts anyways :/


-66

When we pulled pranks or small acts of vandalism growing up in the 70/80’s we were punished and drug by the ear to the home we messed with to apologize and do cleanup. Destroying several generations of a family business goes way beyond egging a house and filling the pool with oranges.


30

Lol, fun pranks that don’t cause any damage are not comparable. What happens when one of those oranges destroys the pool pump? Considering how much cheaper things were back then it still probably wasn’t as big of a deal. Things are different today.


Everyone needs to relax, and put their nooses away :/ Consequences will be held by the responsible parties eventually.


-27

The Jermin family should receive 120% restitution from the parents of these out of control, immoral teens.


97

When these teens get caught (and they WILL get caught), I pray they are tried as ADULTS for this very adult and demonic act. Also, the parents need to have repercussions as well.


86

The parents can only be held liable if they provided access to said fireworks. Trying kids as adults can be a human rights violation, but may be appropriate in this case. There are many reasons why minors have different treatment.


Also, demons only exists in horror movies. These are people.


-16

As part of their sentencing, they should be ordered to be part of the rebuild crew, and given the crappiest labor jobs available, AFTER they are ordered to clean up the property.


When done, they can finish their jail time for the rest of their miserable and stupid lives.


63

I assume you will be posting the videos of the suspects to help identify them so that justice be served. Kids do stupid stuff but they need to know the price and repent and lots of community service.


51