Pennsylvania Firefighters Arrested for Arson

SCHYULKILL HAVEN, Pa. - State police have arrested three eastern Pennsylvania firefighters in connection with nine arsons that caused damages estimated at more than $2 million.

Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven charged the three men on Tuesday and say more arrests are possible.

Authorities charged 21-year-old Shawn Hoy, of Pine Grove, and 21-year-old John Eichert, of Orwigsburg, with multiple counts of arson. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Dixon, of Friedensburg, is charged with a single count.

Police say the men were all active members of the Friedensburg Fire Company when the arsons occurred. Seven barns, a vacant house and a field were burned between September 2009 and January 2010. Hoy is also charged in a 2007 fire.

The suspects are being held in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of bail. It was not immediately clear if they had attorneys.

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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on April 10, 2010 at 10:00pm

Spider, that's because you didn't read the links I supplied. The evidence speaks for itself and you can deny it if you choose but it doesn't change a thing: white, young, male, volunteers. Read the links, then come back and argue with me about who looks stupid.

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Permalink Reply by John M. Keys Sr. on April 10, 2010 at 11:25pm

In 45 years as both pro. and vol. I sometimes believe I seen it all, at least until the next call. I would like to think that there is a background check that would be an effective screening process, but it cannot not be our only tool. When men are this young there may not be a record, or a history that is available. It is up to us with the experience, and training to watch over these "young adults". We have had a few that are "red light junkies", but with constrants, guidance, and a little fatherly advise the problems have been contained. "Or a pointed boot in the rear". We, like most small depts. don't have the resources for in-depth backgrounds. Luck shines on us with most of us knowing each other in this small community. Hopefully we have no skeletons in dept., but then nothing much surprises me anymore.

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on April 12, 2010 at 7:47pm

To those who only have a tacit understanding of the firefighter arsonist issue:
Yes; it is young, WHITE males who are mostly VOLUNTEER firefighters who set the majority of the firefighter arsons.
It isn't stupid. It's FACT.
And for the record; I am white and am with a volunteer fire department.
Our fire service suffers from the stupid, selfish acts of firefighters who claim that they are "bored".
The days of denial are over.
It's time to deal with it.
TCSS.