Police say PGFD lieutenant admitted to setting his vehicle on fire for insurance money
Lt. Sean Roth arrested in PA where he's also a volunteer firefighter
Looking for a quality used fire truck? Selling one? Visit our sponsor Command Fire Apparatus
Previously: PGFD lieutenant charged with arson
Here is more detailed information on the arson charges against Prince George’s County (MD) Fire/Rescue Department Lt. Sean Roth who is also a volunteer lieutenant with the Leo Independent Fire Company No. 1 in Red Lion, Pennsylvania (York County).
Red Lion firefighter Sean Christopher Roth told police that on Aug. 29, he and his girlfriend removed all of his belongings from his car — before he stuffed paper inside the dash and lit it, charging documents state.
Roth, a lieutenant with Leo Independent Fire Engine Co. No. 1, then used his fire department radio to alert York County 911 about the fire at his Red Lion home. He later contacted State Farm Insurance and filed a claim on the 2016 Ford Escape, documents state.
When police began their investigation, they discovered the fire started in the center of the dash; however, the wiring in that area did not appear to have had any apparent electrical malfunctions, documents state.
Chris Deantonio & Cale Ahearn WPMT-TV:
Officials spoke with Roth who said that the check engine light had come on and the vehicle was “not acting right.”
It was found that Roth had removed all his possessions from the vehicle before it caught fire.
On August 31, police found that the point of origin of the fire was determined to be the center of the dash, where most of the damage had occurred.
On October 26, police interviewed Roth’s girlfriend, who denied having knowledge of the fire but did admit to helping him to clean out the car prior to the incident.
Later that day, police spoke with Roth, who eventually admitted to setting the fire.
