Boys charged after house fire in Bathurst

Two boys aged 12 and 13 have been charged after an empty house was ransacked then burnt down in the NSW Central Tablelands city of Bathurst.

Police say items were stolen from the house which was completely destroyed in the suburb of Kelso early on Monday afternoon.

The two youths were arrested following police inquiries and have been charged with enter dwelling with intent, malicious damage by fire, and trespass.

The 12-year-old was also charged with stealing a charity box from a ten-pin bowling centre in Bathurst.

The pair were bailed to appear in Bathurst Children's Court on June 26.