A Marion Township man is facing arson charges after investigators say he called 911 Tuesday morning to report that he had intentionally set his own house on fire then sat out front while the structure behind him burned.
In a 9:42 a.m. call, Michael Rader, 43, told the dispatchers he had ignited a fire inside his residence at 65 Main St. in the village of Stouchsburg, according to Trooper Corey Heimbach, a state police fire marshal.
The trooper provided this account:
Marion Fire Company and mutual‑aid departments were dispatched. A Tulpehocken Township police officer arrived first and found Rader sitting outside. He detained Rader, allowing firefighters to move in and begin suppression efforts.
A second alarm was struck, bringing units from western Berks and eastern Lebanon counties. Firefighters contained the blaze primarily to the second‑floor apartment, bringing it under control in about 30 minutes.
The second-floor apartment was gutted.
The first-floor apartment sustained water damage, and a neighboring home sustained damage from radiant heat.
No one was injured.
The state police Troop L Fire Marshal Unit determined the fire was set in the living room of the second‑floor apartment. Damage was estimated at more than $250,000
Rader was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail after arraignment before District Judge Priscilla Campos in Reading Central Court.
He faces arson-related charges.