MOUNT CARMEL - Police have charged a borough man with reckless endangerment after a July 4 fire started by a bottle rocket damaged two structures and injured three firefighters.
Cpl. Christopher Buhay charged Christopher L. Snyder, 26, of 16 N. Locust St., with recklessly endangering another person following an investigation into the fire, which caused between $80,000 and $100,000 damage to vacant homes at 431-433 E. Third St. The homes are located between Plum and Locust streets.
The second degree misdemeanor charge was filed July 18 with Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel. Snyder is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Borough Fire Chief Jack Williams Jr. said the bottle rocket flew through a screen door on the second floor of 433 E. Third St. It ignited a fire that heavily damaged the top two floors of the property, which also sustained heat, water and smoke damage on the first floor. There was also minor fire damage to the third floor and minor smoke and water damage to the first and second floors at 431 E. Third.
The house at 431 E. Third St., owned by Apartments and Acquisitions, of Allentown, was undergoing renovations at the time of the blaze.
The home at 433 E. Third St. was owned by George and Margaret Wargo, of Mount Carmel, but was approved by county commissioners Tuesday to be sold to Apartments and Acquisitions through a private sale conducted by the Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau. According to Jan Nestico, tax claims bureau director, the company will demolish the property at its own cost.
Garden hose out
In his affidavit, Buhay reported that when he arrived on scene, he observed neighbors trying to douse the fire with water from a garden house, but then saw heavy fire on the second floor of 433 E. Third St. and the rear porch area.
The officer then spoke to Snyder, who told police that he was lighting off fireworks and using a bottle rocket of "the larger type." Snyder told police he set off two without a problem, but the third one traveled out of his yard and straight toward the rear of the Third Street residence.
Snyder then went from the rear of the yard to his residence and saw the fire on the second floor at 433 E. Third St. He called 911 to report the blaze, then retrieved his garden hose to try to put it out.
Williams said of the three firefighters who were injured battling the blaze, one suffered a leg injury, one had minor burns and a third experienced heart-related problems. He said all three were treated at local hospitals before being released.