Souderton, PA, Firefighter Allegedly Admits Setting Three Fires in 30 Hours

Perseverance firefighters responded to three fires, including two that destroyed structures, in a 30 hour period recently.

Now, one of their own is charged with setting them, including one near the occupied home of a former boss who had fired him, NBC 10 reported.

Firefighter Justin Sholly, 29, is charged with arson, reckless burning or exploding, criminal trespass, recklessly endangering another person and other related offenses.

The spree started with a wood pile fire at 12:25 a.m. May 29. followed by a call for a barn and detached garage at 4:17 a.m. Investigators noted that the fire was 50 feet from two occupied houses.

In the pre-dawn hours the following day, firefighters encountered a gazebo, a barn, three vehicles, an outhouse and a shed on fire while eight people were inside a nearby house. 

Investigators quickly determined the fires were deliberately set and related. Surveillance video captured a vehicle near locations.

When they showed up to question Sholly at his house on Sunday, investigators reportedly saw logs behind the driver's seat and a lighter on the front passenger seat. In the trunk, they found fire starter logs.

He is being held in Montgomery County Prison.