MAYSVILLE, Mo. -- Two men are charged with arson in connection with a fire that destroyed a northwest Missouri newspaper building.

The DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on Thursday charged Kevin Brumley, 19, of Maysville, and Wesley Leverenz, 18, from California.

There were no injuries at the Thursday morning fire at the DeKalb County Record-Herald.

Police said they believe the men set off an explosion on the front porch of the building at about 1 a.m. The fire quickly spread and engulfed nearby power lines.

"I was taking pictures over here, 150 feet away, and it was too hot to stand," witness Paul Hamby told KMBC's Chris Nagus.

The fire was so intense that Maysville called several fire departments for help.

Most of the town was without power for several hours.

Hamby said he hopes the arsonists are punished properly because someone could have been killed.

"I think they need to be locked up for a long time," Hamby said. "What I was told by people who interviewed the suspects is they said they were just bored."

The owner of the newspaper and his brother lived inside the building. They were home when it happened.

"Whoever set the fire had to know someone was sleeping in this building," Hamby said.

The brothers lost everything in the fire.

"Where do you start? Got to start with some clothes on your back, and then what?" Hamby said.

Publisher Terry Pearl said he would rebuild. Arrangements were being made to publish this week's edition in King City.

"I've known Terry for eight years. He always says it's the best job in the world. I'm sure he will be back and have the paper like he always has," Hamby said.

Brumley and Leverenz are being held at the Daviess-DeKalb County Regional Jail in Pattonsburg on $500,000 cash bonds.