PA Junior Firefighter Arrested for Setting Fires
Source The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (TNS)
Allegheny County police arrested a Penn Hills junior firefighter and charged him with arson in connection with small fires set around the community during a three-month period.
Police did not name the suspect because he is a juvenile, who is from Penn Hills No. 6 Universal Fire Co., Penn Hills Fire Marshal Chuck Miller said.
“There was a sign that something (intentional) was going on,” Miller said.
He said there have been about 10 fires since May involving Dumpsters, pallets and discarded furniture that fit the same pattern.
Miller said he also fears that the behavior of someone who has ties to a local fire company will create a “black eye” for Penn Hills firefighters, who respond to about 3,500 calls a year.
“(Those) actions do not reflect on the Penn Hills Fire Department as a whole,” Miller said.
The suspect was arrested on Friday. He is being held in Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.
Miller said he worked with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and with Allegheny County detectives during the investigation, which is ongoing.
Samson X Horne is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7845 or [email protected]
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