Careers & Education

PA Firefighter Charged in Arson Allegedly Warned Department

May 14, 2021

A former Irwin firefighter allegedly sent a Snapchat message to a nearby department to tell members “to get ready for a fire call” before a vacant mobile home burned down.

By Becky Metrick

Source pennlive.com

A former Irwin, PA, firefighter was arrested and charged in connection with setting fire to a vacant mobile home.

A former firefighter from Westmoreland County was arrested this week, accused of setting an abandoned mobile home on fire and warning a neighboring fire department they might get called in.

Shawn Mann, 25, is charged with felony arson and misdemeanor reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, according to online court dockets.

TribLive reports crews were called to Brookville Road in North Huntingdon Township around 11:16 p.m. on April 27.

Citing the affidavit filed against Mann, TribLive reported that Mann admitted to investigators that he started the fire.

Concern grew when the chief of the Irwin Fire Department, which responded to the call and was Manns’ former firehouse, discovered Mann was making comments about his involvement in the fire.

According to a statement posted to the department’s Facebook Page, Chief Justin Mochar said he immediately notified police about these comments and cooperated with investigators.

The affidavit states the Mann sent a Snapchat message to firefighters saying “to get ready for a fire call,” TribLive reported. Mochar said those firefighters were in a neighboring department.

KDKA reports that Mann used to work for the owners of the trailer and previously told another fire department it would be a good structure to use for training, according to police.

“As fire chief, it is beyond disheartening to learn that the accused was willing to put so many others in harms way so they could serve themselves,” Mochar wrote. “I want to be crystal clear that the alleged actions of former member Shawn Mann in no way reflect upon the many dedicated volunteer firefighters who serve our community each and every day. The actions of one careless person should not tarnish the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Irwin Fire Department.”

Mann is being held at Westmoreland County Prison on $15,000 bail, according to court dockets.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6.

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