Volunteer Firefighter Arrested for Setting Three Fires in Western Montgomery County

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, in the early morning hours, three fires were reported in close proximity to each other along the West Pottsgrove and Pottstown border.  The fires were located at 402 East Vine Street in West Pottsgrove Township, 306 East Race Street in West Pottsgrove Township, and 420 Glasgow Street in Pottstown Borough, Montgomery County.

The fire at 402 East Vine Street started in a trash can and spread to the wall of the adjacent shed, causing damage to the shed and its contents.  The fire at 306 East Race Street started on burning items on a bench that was propped up against the side of the house and spread to the inside of the home, setting the home on fire.  The fire at 420 Glasgow Street started in an unattached shed, damaging the shed and a fiberglass boat next to the shed.

At the scene of the fire at 420 Glasgow Street, a white male dressed in full fire turn-out gear approached Pottstown Fire Department battalion Chief Chad Quinter and stated “Put me in Chief, I’m a volunteer firefighter.”  Pottstown police approached the man, who identified himself as Charles SLUZENSKI IV, and noticed he was intoxicated.  Police subsequently placed SLUZENSKI under arrest for public intoxication.

Pottstown police then spoke with SLUZENSKI’s mother, Carol Hall, who told them that SLUZENSKI had come home intoxicated that night.  She said that when she noticed the fire, SLUZENSKI insisted on going outside to “serve and protect”.

Pottstown Fire Chief Richard Lengel, examined all three fire scenes.  It was his opinion that all three fires were intentionally set by human hands.  West Pottsgrove Fire Marshal David Matyasovsky concurred that the two fires set in West Pottsgrove were intentionally set. Each fire was intentionally set, occurred within the same hour, and were in a five-block radius of SLUZENSKI’s home and the bar he was at earlier in the night.

Montgomery County Detectives and Pottstown Police interviewed SLUZENSKI and he admitted setting all three fires because he was angry and got lost on his way home.

SLUZENSKI told police he is a volunteer firefighter at the Linfield Fire Company in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, and the Liberty Fire Company in Spring City, Chester County.

Charles SLUZENSKI IV will be arraigned this afternoon at 2:30pm before Magisterial District Judge Thomas A. Palladino.  A Preliminary Hearing will be scheduled at the arraignment.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, West Pottsgrove Police Chief Earl Swavely, Jr., and Pottstown Police Chief Mark Flanders announce the arrest of Charles SLUZENSKI IV for Arson– Endangering Persons, Arson–Endangering Property, Arson–Reckless Burning or Exploding, Dangerous Burning, Failure to Control or Report Dangerous Fires, Risking a Catastrophe, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Gil is assigned to prosecute the case.

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CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.

Tags: Charles Sluzenski, Pottstown Fire