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Volunteer firefighter accused of arson headed to trial

PITTSBURGH — A local volunteer firefighter charged with arson waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon and is headed to trial.

Ryan Laubham, 19, is accused of intentionally setting two fires at Munhall houses last month.

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According to the criminal complaint, nearby security cameras showed a man running into the fire hall shortly after the second fire was set. Laubham later admitted to starting the fires, telling investigators he did it because he was bored, according to the complaint.

“This case comes down to his statement that he gave to the police," said Laubham's attorney, Casey White. "In order to explore our options in how that statement was given and the circumstances surrounding that statement, we're not able to do that at this juncture."

After the brief hearing, White confirmed Laubham has been suspended indefinitely from Munhall Volunteer Fire Station #4, and said the teenager is worried.

"Scared. He's a young man who has a bright promising future. He's nervous," Casey White said.

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