A RETIRED SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, FIREFIGHTER WAS ARRESTED yesterday after he turned himself in at the local State Police barracks. Following an 18-month investigation, he was charged with seven counts of arson endangering persons, two counts of arson endangering property, five counts of reckless burning, five counts of criminal mischief and one count of insurance fraud, all related to a fire at an apartment building that he owned in June 2008.
Gervase is shown in a state police car as he is
transported to the courhouse Thursday in this
Times-Tribune photo.
Thomas S. Gervasi, 56, owned several rental properties in Scranton when the older, frame building caught fire during the afternoon. The fire began in the garage, destroying it and causing enough damage to the house to make in untenable. It left eight people homeless and without any belongings. The fire started in the dilapidated garage where Gervase had parked a Cadillac Escalade. Tenants later told investigators that Gervase had never parked a vehicle in the garage before that day. The motive being advanced by the prosecutor is financial distress. The Scranton Times-Tribune reports:
As of June 12, 2008, Mr. Gervasi was more than $160,000 in debt, and there were liens against his properties due to his failure to pay utilities, credit cards and other creditors, the arrest affidavit said. Foreclosure complaints were filed on three of his properties, including 1021 Mark [the fire building....ed.].
Mr. Gervasi also had been unable to sell 1021 Mark after it was discovered the garage encroached several feet onto the property at 1023 Mark Ave., police said.
After the fire, Mr. Gervasi filed a claim for his loss with Ohio Casualty Insurance, which insured the dwelling for $215,000, along with $12,300 for fair rental value and $1,000 for personal property, the affidavit said. The claim was not paid.
Read the complete STORY HERE.
At his arraigment yesterday the judge allowed him to remain free but ordered him to post $100,000 bond by noon today or he will be incarcerated.
This video news report was recorded at the fire scene when the garage and house burned in June 2008. Gervase’s brother who is a Scranton firefighter has a brief appearance and comment during the report:
