Tag:

Arson

Two Philadelphia Men Convicted In Arson That Killed Firefighter Lt. Sean Williamson Two Philadelphia Men Convicted In Arson That Killed Firefighter Lt. Sean Williamson
Two Philadelphia Men Convicted In Arson That Killed Firefighter Lt. Sean Williamson Two Philadelphia men have been convicted for their roles in a 2022 arson fire that killed Lt. Sean Williamson, a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department, federal prosecutors announced on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Al-Ashraf Khalil, 31, and Isaam Jaghama, 31, were found guilty by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit malicious damage by fire and malicious damage by fire of a building used in interstate commerce, according to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. Khalil was also convicted of wire fraud and using fire in furtherance of wire fraud. The fire, set in the early hours of J…
Man Severely Burned In Pennsylvania Wildfire, Charged With Arson: Police Man Severely Burned In Pennsylvania Wildfire, Charged With Arson: Police
Man Severely Burned In Pennsylvania Wildfire, Charged With Arson: Police A man accused of setting one of the wild fire across Pennsylvania has been charged with multiple felonies, police announced Monday, Nov. 18. Malcolm Kellogg suffered severe burns to his upper body in the blaze on Blue Mountain near Autumn Oaks Drive and Box Elder Court on Friday, Nov. 8, according to the Lower Paxton Bureau of Police. The fire started after Kellogg, who was previously cited for illegally dumping trash at the same location, allegedly lit the debris on fire instead of removing it as directed. The flames spread quickly, endangering nearby homes and residents, police said. Mor…
Series of Suspected Arsons Across Williamsport Under Investigation Series of Suspected Arsons Across Williamsport Under Investigation
Series of Suspected Arsons Across Williamsport Under Investigation The Williamsport Bureau of Police and the Williamsport Bureau of Fire launched a joint investigation on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, following a series of suspected arsons across multiple locations in the city. Authorities reported four incidents, each involving intentional fires or vandalism, throughout the day. The first incident unfolded at 5:00 a.m. at the Pajama Factory’s parking lot on 1307 Park Ave., where officers and firefighters responded to several vandalized vehicles, including one set ablaze. At 6:20 a.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the 170 Rose St. area for multiple small…
Suspect Arrested For Series of Arsons In Williamsport: Police Suspect Arrested For Series of Arsons In Williamsport: Police
Suspect Arrested For Series of Arsons In Williamsport: Police A suspect has been arrested for the series of arsons that took place in Williamsport in early November, police said in a Monday, Nov. 18 news release. Jacob Fichter, 22, of Williamsport, is facing multiple arson-related charges for a series of fires he allegedly started at four locations in the city on Monday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 5, according to the Williamsport Bureau of Police. The first incident happened at 5 a.m. in the parking lot of the Pajama Factory at 1307 Park Avenue where authorities found several vandalized vehicles, including one that was set ablaze, a previous report by D…
Man Who Arranged Arson Of PA Warehouse Convicted: Police Man Who Arranged Arson Of PA Warehouse Convicted: Police
Man Who Arranged Arson Of PA Warehouse Convicted: Police A New Jersey man was convicted for arranging the 2022 arson of a Bensalem warehouse on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, according to police. Ramiz Duka, 61, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was convicted in federal court for conspiring to set fire to a warehouse located at 1388 Bridgewater Road in Bensalem on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, the Bensalem Police Department said. Duka recruited two men to set fire to the warehouse, paying them $15,000 to do so, according to police. Over the course of several weeks, the three men met and planned the arson, ultimately leading to the fire. While fighting the blaze,…
'Let It Burn Satan' PA Woman Yelled During Arson House Fire: Affidavit 'Let It Burn Satan' PA Woman Yelled During Arson House Fire: Affidavit
'Let It Burn Satan' PA Woman Yelled During Arson House Fire: Affidavit Bizarre details about an arson were shared by police in court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Friday, Oct. 18.  Leslie G. Truitt, the 100 block of East Chestnut of Ephrata, is accused of "placing belongings of a former resident in her bathtub and setting them on fire," the police stated in the release and Daily Voice reported.  The 70-year-old woman has been charged with arson and cruelty to animals. Her teenage neighbor and his stepdad rescued her and one of her dogs when the fire alarms went off at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, as Daily Voice reported at the time. …
EPHRATA ARSON: Retired Care Manager At LanCo Dept. Of Aging Set Bathtub On Fire EPHRATA ARSON: Retired Care Manager At LanCo Dept. Of Aging Set Bathtub On Fire
Ephrata Arson: Retired Care Manager At LanCo Dept. Of Aging Set Bathtub On Fire While still in the hospital recovering from burns, a 70-year-old woman has been charged with arson and cruelty to animals, the Ephrata Police announced on Friday, Oct. 18.  Leslie G. Truitt, the 100 block of East Chestnut of Ephrata, is accused of "placing belongings of a former resident in her bathtub and setting them on fire," the police stated in the release.  Her teenage neighbor and his stepdad rescued her and her dogs when the fire alarms went off at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, as Daily Voice reported at the time.  The boy suffered second-degree burns and was also ta…
Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested For Arson In MontCo: Police Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested For Arson In MontCo: Police
Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested For Arson In MontCo: Police A felon convicted for drug dealing has been arrested for arson, Upper Chichester police announced on Thursday, Oct. 3. Andre Lamont Armstrong, 56, of Chester, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 23, according to court documents.  Armstrong was wanted in connection to a "suspicious" vehicle fire in the 1600 block of Huddell Avenue around 2:10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, police detailed in a release.  In surveillance videos, police saw the suspect used an accelerant to ignite a vehicle, as Daily Voice previously reported. "Based on some of the evidence already collected, it is believed th…
WANTED: Warrant Issued For Suspected Arsonist, Police In PA Say WANTED: Warrant Issued For Suspected Arsonist, Police In PA Say
Wanted: Warrant Issued For Suspected Arsonist, Police In PA Say A warrant has been issued for a suspected arsonist, Waynesboro police announced on Thursday, Sept. 26.  Maxwell D. Alexander, 22, of Greencastle, has been charged with five counts of arson and related offenses and three counts of criminal mischief after an incident on Old Mill Road at 2:15 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023, police detailed in the release. He is currently serving 24 months of probation for a criminal mischief charge for an incident in Waynesboro that same day, according to a previous court docket. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Anyone with …
Suspicious Car Fire Investigated In Lower Chichester: Police Suspicious Car Fire Investigated In Lower Chichester: Police
Suspicious Car Fire Investigated In Lower Chichester: Police Police are investigating a fire that was intentionally set In Lower Chichester. A man used an accelerant on a vehicle on the 1600 block of Huddell Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, police said in a press statement. The man may have parked in the Linwood Heights Church parking lot and walked to the area where he allegedly set the fire, police said. Residents with security cameras in the area of Linwood Garden Apartments or the Linwood United Methodist Church are asked to review their footage. Lower Chichester PD Anyone with any information should contact Detective Cortes o…
Arson Fire Destroyed Historic Norristown Park Bandshell: FD Arson Fire Destroyed Historic Norristown Park Bandshell: FD
Arson Fire Destroyed Historic Norristown Park Bandshell: FD A fire that destroyed a historic bandshell at Elmwood Park in Norristown last week was intentionally set, authorities said. The Norristown Fire Department has confirmed the fire at the Fire Chief’s Memorial Bandshell was arson, the municipality said in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 5. The fire destroyed the almost 100-year-old outdoor performance venue in the early morning hours of Aug. 28.. The bandshell is a fixture of the Elmwood Park and the entire Norristown community. The outdoor venue hosts the Summer Concert Series, Movie Nights at the Park screenings, Fourth of July celebrations…
Suspicious Fire Kills Philly Man, 37: Police Suspicious Fire Kills Philly Man, 37: Police
Suspicious Fire Kills Philly Man, 37: Police A 37-year-old man was killed in a fire that was intentionally set in Southwest Philadelphia, authorities said. The victim's name had not been released. On Thursday, Aug. 29, at about 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Police and Fire Department responded to a fire on the 5700 block of Harmer Street, in the 19th District. A second male victim, 48, was transported to Pen Presbyterian Medical Center by PFD-Medic Unit, where he is listed in stable condition.  The Fire Marshall responded to the scene and ruled it an arson.  The investigation is active and ongoing with Southwest Detectives Di…
Man Shot, Set On Fire In SW Philadelphia: Police Man Shot, Set On Fire In SW Philadelphia: Police
Man Shot, Set On Fire In SW Philadelphia: Police A man was in critical condition after being shot and set on fire in Southwest Philadelphia, authorities said. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, at about 10:30 a.m., Philadelphia Police responded to a person screaming inside an apartment on the 5400 block of Lansdowne Avenue, in the 19th District. A 40-year-old man was shot at by a male offender, and then the female offender set the victim on fire, causing burns to his body, police said. The victim was taken to Jefferson University Hospital by the Philadelphia Fire Department Medic Unit. Two suspects, a 38-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, were…
Arrest Made In Deadly Arson In Philadelphia: Police Arrest Made In Deadly Arson In Philadelphia: Police
Arrest Made In Deadly Arson In Philadelphia: Police A 38-year-old man has been arrested in a Philadelphia arson fire that left a 66-year-old woman dead early Friday, Aug. 23, police said. Shadeek McDowell has been charged with murder, arson, five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of simple assault, and related offenses in the 4:30 a.m. blaze on the 1800 block of East Russell Street, city police said.  A very difficult morning in Kensington. PFD made multiple rescues from several homes damaged by a fire that took nearly an hour to place under control. Sadly, one person did not survive. Five people received EMS care and we…
Homeowner Set Fire To Berwyn Residence, DA Says Homeowner Set Fire To Berwyn Residence, DA Says
Homeowner Set Fire To Berwyn Residence, DA Says The two-alarm fire at a Berwyn home last week was set intentionally by the owner, prosecutors believe.  Kathryn Frankel, 41, is charged with arson, criminal mischief, and related counts, said the Chester County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday, July 31.   The fire was "well-advanced" by the time authorities arrived at the 400 block of Leopard Road around 11 a.m. on July 23, Berwyn Fire Company said previously.  Frankel was the only person home at the time of the blaze, and was seen "wandering around the property" before authorities arrived, the DA's Office said. …
Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators
Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators A Scranton man is charged with setting a fire at the Lackawanna County government building last week, according to city police.  Paul Howard Strope Jr., 35, is also charged with risking catastrophe and reckless endangerment, authorities said.  The 123 Wyoming Avenue fire started around 6:30 on Tuesday, June 26, Scranton police said. A meeting was in progress in a conference room when attendees smelled smoke wafting in through the building's HVAC system, according to authorities.  The building was evacuated and firefighters "conducted suppression and ventilation activities," …
ARSON: Ex-Wife From WV Sets Ex-Husband's PA Porch On Fire, Police Say ARSON: Ex-Wife From WV Sets Ex-Husband's PA Porch On Fire, Police Say
Arson: Ex-Wife From WV Sets Ex-Husband's PA Porch On Fire, Police Say A 60-year-old West Virginia woman is in a Pennsylvania prison after an arson incident at her ex-husband's home, police announce on Friday, June 28.  Georgina Diane Zogby of Maple Avenue, Martinsburg, WV, was arrested following an investigation into a front porch fire at a home in the 600 block of Moore's Mountain Road, Lewisberry at 9:09 p.m. on February 4, 2024, the Fairview Township Police Department detailed in a release.  When officers first responded to the report of the fire, they learned the homeowner was inside the home when noticed that his porch was on fire, according to…
COLD CASE: Troopers Find New Leads In PA Woman's 1997 Murder COLD CASE: Troopers Find New Leads In PA Woman's 1997 Murder
Cold CASE: Troopers Find New Leads In PA Woman's 1997 Murder State police say they are making progress in their investigation of Patricia Woll's homicide.  Woll, 43, was living on River Road in Damascus Township, Wayne County when her house caught fire on Aug. 28, 1997.  She was found dead inside after firefighters beat the blaze. A "detailed investigation" led state police to declare the fire an arson and Woll's death a homicide.  "Several new investigatory leads and evidence have been uncovered and are activity being pursued by investigators," said troopers in a release on May 31. Authorities did not describe the new evidence. …