Arson Charges Filed Against Delco Volunteer Firefighter: Reports

COLWYN, PA — A Delaware County fireighter is charged with felony arson and related crimes after authorities said he set a fire last week.

Court records show Abner Carl Roberts, 18, of Darby, is charged with felony arson, felony risking catastrophe, felony criminal mischief, felony reckless burning, trespassing, and more in connection with a Thursday, April 11 incident.

Roberts is a member of the Yeadon Fire Company.

The Darby Fire Company was called to the 200 block of South Second Street in Colwyn Borough for a vehicle fire at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday last week.

Responders learned that the fire may have been reaching a building, and when they arrived, firefighters found a car fire well involved with fire exposure to three homes.

The main building had minor fire extension into the back porch.

The fire placed under control in about 20 minutes and no one was hurt, the fire company said.

According to Fox 29, a 2012 Land Rover was set on fire.

Authorities found styrofoam, a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and a green lighter at the scene of the fire, according to the Delaware County Daily Times.

Roberts later told a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper he set the fire after initially claiming he encountered the fire and tried to extinguish it.

He is being held on 10 percent of $75,000 bail and scheduled for an April 24 preliminary hearing, according to court documents.