Four Pennsylvania firefighters charged with starting two unrelated fires

Two Pennsylvania fire companies are dealing with members being accused of starting two unrelated fires in the central part of the state. Arrested for a September 30 fire is 23-year-old Justin Varner of the Columbia Fire Company.

Shawn Annarelli and Jeremy Hartley, Centre Daily Times:

According to the criminal complaint, Varner said he was walking home from the Columbia Fire Company the evening of the fire and thought it had been a while since there was a fire call. He also said he thought the Hertlein building was an “eyesore in the community.”

He entered the building through an unsecured door, the complaint said, and lit a pile of cardboard on fire. He later returned to the scene to combat the fire with the company when they responded.

The second fire, police say, was caused by Hope Fire Company volunteers Hunter Harris, 21, of Philipsburg, Kenneth Lee Moore, 20, of Lanse, and Samuel Conner, 19, of Howard. Police said the three men also confessed to starting a fire, this one at 4 a.m. Oct. 9 at 309 Ida St., Chester Hill in Clearfield County. The building was unoccupied.