Aug. 12--Arsonists face tougher penalties if they injure civilians and firefighters or cause large-scale damages under a new state law.
The law creates a felony crime of aggravated arson that applies when someone intentionally sets a fire that injures people in the targeted property or a firefighter, emergency responder or civilian at the scene.
An arsonist can be charged with second-degree murder if the fire unintentionally causes a person's death and first-degree murder if the death is intentional.
Tougher sentences are also on tap if more than three people are inside the property at the time of the crime, the arson results in more than $1 million in property damages or an incendiary device is used.
Sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty, R-44, Collegeville, this law is a response to a series of 30 deliberately set fires in Coatesville several years ago that resulted in the death of an elderly woman, left scores of people homeless and caused more than $3 million in damages. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the measure last spring.
The aim is to create a stronger deterrent for a serial arsonist or one who sets fire to a crowded building like an apartment complex, Ryan Boop, Mr. Rafferty's chief of staff, said Monday.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing is to set tougher sentence guidelines for arson crimes that include the above factors.
Mr. Rafferty and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester, held a news conference last week to tout the law.
"Those who willfully threaten our families and our communities and put our emergency first responders in harm's way will now be held accountable to higher standards and face tougher sentences," Mr. Rafferty said.
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