Arsonist Set Fire To West Chester Building With People Inside, Police Say

A man is charged with arson after police say he set fire to an occupied building in West Chester last month.

Mark Benzinger; a scene from the West Miner Street fire on Feb. 20.
Photo Credit: *West Chester Police Department // Facebook/West Chester Fire Department*

03/01/2023 11:15 a.m.

Mark Benziner, 53, of West Chester, is charged with felony arson, risking catastrophe, reckless endangerment, and related counts, said Borough police in a statement.

Investigators say that on Monday, Feb. 20, Benzinger went to the rear of a structure on the 100 block of West Miner Street and set fire to the building just after 6:30 p.m. Borough firefighters were joined by the West Whiteland Fire Company and knocked down the fire with only two engines, they said on Facebook at the time.

Police have not revealed a suspected motive, but they said they believe Benzinger knew there were people inside when he allegedly lit the fire. State court records show the 53-year-old was taken into custody the next day, Feb. 21, and remains locked up in the Chester County jail after being unable to post $250,000 bail.

Bezinger will return to court for a preliminary hearing on Friday, March 17.

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