SHENANDOAH - (07/21/16) - On Thursday morning, around 6:00am, fire personnel were called to a brush fire in the area of 600 Block of South Main Street, Shenandoah.
The fire was reportedly started near an uninhabited residence located at 600 South Main Street in a pile of sticks and debris which then ignited wooden pallets in the area.
According to Police, around 7:35am, a nearby resident noticed a male, wearing shorts, a blue shirt and a red backpack, was standing in the woods near the scene of brush fire along with another male.
Police responded and found Patrick Reighard, 52, of Shenandoah, in the area of Main and Laurel Streets wearing the same clothes as described by the caller. Reighard was taken into custody on outstanding warrants.
Reighard later admitted to starting the fire by lighting a piece of paper he found on the ground with a cigarette lighter. He then said he use the paper to ignite leaves and sticks that he gather which then ignited the pallets.
Reighard told Police that he was not going to call emergency services because he was scared.
Reighard was charged with felony charges of Reckless Burning Failure to Control / Report Dangerous Fires, and a summary count of dangerous burning.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker and was committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post a $25,000.00 cash bail.