Fire chief’s son faces arson charges

Richard Thomas Hart, 18, who is a member of the township fire company and son of chief Richard Hart, was charged with arson, burglary and related offenses.

According to an affidavit, Hart was walking home from McDonald’s early Dec. 21 when he saw a cat that resembled his grandmother’s. He told police he chased it in through the back door of 115 Casey Ave.

According to the affidavit, he said he went inside and was smoking a cigar. He accidentally kicked over a gas can once, then a second time on purpose, police said. He then took a puff of his cigar and dropped it into the pool of gas, knowing it would catch fire.

According to the affidavit, he left as the fire spread to go to his Frances Street home where he ate pizza and fell asleep only to be woken up by his fire pager. He then went to help fight the fire he started, but by the time firefighters arrived on scene, the home was engulfed.

Magisterial District Judge Daniel O’Donnell arraigned Hart by video and initially was going to release him without bail. A township detective called the judge and asked that he set a cash bail, which was granted.

Hart made no comment as he was taken from the township police station to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. He is being held

on$25,000 straight cash bail.

Back