A Pennsylvania volunteer firefighter was charged after allegedly setting fire to his own home to score more insurance money, officials said.
Paul Resnick, 43, faces eight counts of reckless endangerment, one count of false or fraudulent insurance claim and one count of risking catastrophe, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.
Resnick’s arrest stemmed from a fire on April 4 in Harleysville in which both the Lower Salford Township Police Department and Harleysville Fire Department were called to the scene, according to a court document.
Upon arrival, firefighters were able to control the blaze, but the house sustained significant damage with the most severe being in the back, the document read.
Resnick eventually approached an officer at the scene and identified himself as the homeowner. He allegedly told the officer that he had left his home before the fire started.
Authorities took down Resnick’s written statement. His ex-wife, Anne Coughlin, had to write it because “Resnick said he was too shaken up to write the statement himself.”
Police said that same day Resnick later “unexpectedly” arrived at the police department and told officers that he did not know what caused the fire. He also added that his insurance company had offered to give him with money to get back on his feet, but he refused to accept it, according to a court document.
Yet nearly a week later, Resnick had a scheduled interview with officials and admitted that he was responsible for the blaze.
He allegedly told officers that after his son left for school he decided he “was going to cause damage to his home in an attempt to recover insurance money.” Resnick said he wanted to use the money to fix his home up before selling it.
Police said Resnick then put a blanket on top of a lit candle, but only meant to cause smoke damage.
A preliminary hearing for Resnick is scheduled for May 22.
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