MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 A Pennsylvania volunteer firefighter faces arson charges after allegedly starting three fires within a 30-hour timeframe, investigators said in charging documents.<\/p>\n
The 26 charges filed Monday against 29-year-old Justin Sholly, of Souderton, Montgomery County, also include felony counts of reckless burning or exploding, possession of explosive\/incendiary material, causing catastrophe and criminal mischief, according to court records.<\/p>\n
At the time of the fires, Sholly was a volunteer firefighter with the Perseverance Volunteer Fire Company, according to the Pennsylvania State Police at Skippack barracks. He has been suspended, the fire company said.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0Ex-central Pennsylvania church treasurer sentenced for stealing $21K\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The charging Trooper said in an affidavit of probable cause, \u201cno competent ignition source\u201d was found at either of the fires. Two of the fires were allegedly intentionally set to barns near occupied residences on different properties.<\/p>\n Crews found flames coming from a detached barn\/garage about 50 feet away from two occupied residences in Souderton Borough on May 29, just before 4:30 a.m. Later in the day, around noon, crews were called for a trash fire and found flames coming from a wood pile in Franconia Township, the charging Trooper said.<\/p>\n Then, crews were dispatched the next day for another barn fire early in the morning in Souderton Borough, and there were several other fires on the property. The fire caused the barn\u2019s roof to collapse, as well as severely damaged multiple vehicles and other buildings, including an outhouse that also collapsed, the affidavit said.<\/p>\n \u201cBased upon the two structure fires and wood log fire within close proximity and within a 30-hour period, it was my opinion that the three fires were connected and intentionally set,\u201d the charging Trooper said.<\/p>\n By sorting through data from license plate readers in the area of the fires, investigators were able to trace a truck back to Sholly, PSP said.<\/p>\n The affidavit shows that, during an interview, Sholly allegedly admitted to setting the fires by using logs and a lighter. A search of his truck turned up wood logs, a bottle of lighter fluid, a lighter and a cookie box that had fire starter materials inside.<\/p>\n