Becky Metrick
pennlive.com
(TNS)
A Pa. man pretending to be a firefighter informed a family of two fatalities as fire overtook their Northumberland County home over the weekend, according to reports.
39-year-old Michael Stahl, of Sunbury, is charged with felony risking catastrophe and theft, and misdemeanor impersonating a public servant, according to online court dockets.
The Daily Item reports that Stahl turned himself in on Monday,
First responders in Sunbury were responding to a deadly house fire in the 300 block of Walnut Street on Saturday, when Stahl got involved, The Daily Item reports.
A fire captain approached police after noticing Stahl, saying the man was not a member of any fire departments, the Daily Item reported from court records. The fire captain also said Stahl had no fire training.
Stahl was seen wearing gear and assisting, and the fire captain was present at a firehouse when Stahl returned with the gear he had used, the Daily Item reported.
When confronted, Stahl dropped all the gear and ran away, according to court records. Investigators found that Stahl had taken the gear from Sunbury Steam Engine Fire Company prior to arriving at the fire scene.
In addition to working on the fire, police learned that Stahl entered a business where members of the family whose home was burning and told them about two deaths before officials had confirmed those deaths, the Daily Item reported from court records. Stahl is accused of claiming that he was the one who kicked in the door and saw the dead individuals.
Police shared that the risking catastrophe charge stemmed from the possibility of further damage Stahl could have caused while working the fire without proper training.
The Daily Item reported that when Stahl turned himself in, he denied the charges, saying he never spoke to the family. He did say he was a firefighter.
Stahl posted a bond on $5,000 bail and has been released. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Nov. 15.
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