Police in Lancaster County charged three juvenile with setting a series of fires in Manheim Township. The first incident was on March 22, 2013. A fire destroyed the vacant Gammache Mansion in the 1200 block of New Holland Pike. Property loss was set $250,000. The second incident occurred on March 30, 2013 at the Stehli Silk Mill in the 700 block of Martha Avenue. The fire caused $3,000 damage. The last incident was on April 24, 2013. The fire destroyed a vacant caretaker’s house in the 1200 block of New Holland Pike. Property loss was estimated at $3,000. In all three incidents numerous fire departments responded to the scene.
In the last incident, nearby construction workers saw three male juveniles running from the house. Manheim Township Police locatred three 16 year old males nearby and took them into custody. All three were subsequently released to their parents.
Investigators charged all three juveniles today. Two were charged with three counts of Arson and three counts of Criminal Conspiracy. A third juvenile was charged with one count of Arson and one count of Criminal Conspiracy for the fire at the silk mill. Two of the juveniles were sent to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.