37°
Toni Kirk was convicted on 21 counts including aggravated assault, causing and risking a catastrophe, and reckless endangerment, the District Attorney's Office said last week.
Kirk, now 33, was living in unit 315 at the Ashwood Apartments when the fire broke out on July 30, 2020, prosecutors said.
More than 200 first responders from over a dozen different departments were called to the scene, several of whom were treated for burns, heat exhaustion, and chest pain, according to authorities.
Two residents were seriously hurt in the blaze, as well. One person who was reportedly "moments away from dying" was dragged to safety by "army-crawling" first responders, while another remained in a coma for seven weeks "due to severe carbon monoxide poisoning," the DA's Office said.
Kirk was found in the parking lot, "uninjured but (...) under the influence of drugs," authorities said. She allegedly told investigators the fire began when her ex ignited her bed, but "evidence clearly showed that her ex-boyfriend was not present at the time," said police.
Chester County Chief Fire Marshal John Weer later ruled that the fire began on a bed in her living room.
In addition to the 100 people displaced, some pets were injured and more than $6 million in property damage was caused, the DA added.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Allentown and receive free news updates.
