A probationary volunteer firefighter in Pennsylvania has been charged with five counts of arson involving structure fires and is suspected of starting eight vegetation fires.
David Donnora’s most obvious mistake, other than deciding to become an arsonist, was responding to the correct address of a brush fire in Laflin even though the dispatcher mistakenly sent crews to an incorrect location. He found himself alone at the scene, which of course raised the eyebrows of other firefighters and the state police.
Here is an excerpt from an article in the Citizens Voice:
…Donnora, of 433 Highway 315 in Dupont, was a probationary member with the Laflin Volunteer Fire Department from June to September and worked with the Dupont Volunteer Fire Department from September until early December, when state police determined he was a suspect in a Main Street house fire, authorities said.
While Donnora was a fireman in Laflin, there were seven suspicious brush fires throughout the spring and summer, police said.
“He was with us for about four months. During that time, as you can see, we had a lot of brush fires. I immediately became suspicious and I turned it over to police,” Laflin Fire Chief Mark Malvizzi said. “I think it’s very possible this former member had an idea he was suspected, and stopped showing up.”
The fires continued when Donnora transferred to Dupont, except there all the blazes involved structures.
State police said Donnora once again raised suspicions of fellow firefighters when he was the first firefighter to arrive to suit up at the fire station following the report of a fire at 251 Main St. in Dupont at 6:50 a.m. Dec. 10.
Arrest papers say a state police fire marshal became suspicious of Donnora while investigating that fire because Donnora “was following him, taking interest in what he was doing.”
