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Police: Volunteer firefighter charged with arson, says he was ‘bored'

MUNHALL, Pa. — A volunteer firefighter in Munhall is facing charges for setting two fires on the same street in the borough because “he was bored,” authorities said.

Ryan Laubham, 19, admitted to setting the fires on Crawford Avenue, according to police.

The most recent fire was reported about 2:30 a.m. Monday on the porch of a home -- the owner started working to put out the flames after calling 911.

While crews were at the scene of that fire, another person who lives on the street approached police and firefighters to report someone tried to set their home on fire on Dec. 3. The resident was home at the time, but didn't immediately report the incident.

Investigators used surveillance video to track down Laubham.

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When asked why he started the fires, Laubham said “he was bored,” according to a criminal complaint. He told authorities he use paper towels to set one fire and gasoline to set the other.

Munhall Bureau Fire Chief Ed Pletsch told Channel 11 Laubham had been a good, active member for Company 4 and said this is something they never would have expected.

"It's a first for us here at this station it's never happened to us before and hopefully we never go through this again but we're a strong company we're a strong dept and we'll overcome it, our members will stick together like a family," Pletsch said.

Charges against Laubham include arson, causing or risking catastrophe and criminal mischief.

Laubham posted bond and is out of jail.

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Cox Media Group

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