13-Year-Old Uses Fireworks To Spark Blaze Damaging 2 Pottstown Homes: PA State Police (

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Pennsylvania State Police said on Monday, August 11, that a teenage boy is suspected of using fireworks to ignite a fire that destroyed two Pottstown residences.

The location of the Pottstown arson fire.

The location of the Pottstown arson home fire.

The location of the Pottstown arson fire.

The location of the Pottstown arson fire.

According to the announcement, the fire started on Walnut Street at approximately 7:10 p.m. on Sunday, June 22.

Two residences with significant damage on the back side were discovered by first-arriving teams, prompting a massive multi-agency reaction. Sanatoga Fire Company provided their squad, engine, and utility units, totaling sixteen personnel, to assist the Pottstown Fire Department with overhaul and fire suppression. While on standby at Goodwill Fire Company, Quint 58 also answered calls.

Five members of the Limerick Fire Department’s Tower 64 arrived, helping with second-floor suppression, restoring power to the residences, and conducting an overhaul. Before being sent to a fire alarm in the 300 block of High Street, Tower 64 was on the scene for roughly ninety minutes.

Investigators found that the fire was started by a 14-year-old boy who purposefully set off fireworks in the back of one of the houses on Walnut Street. The estimated damage to the houses and belongings was $100,000.

Authorities say the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, who was called in by the Pottstown Borough Fire Marshal and police, verified that the fire was intentionally started.

There were no reported injuries.