A man and woman are locked up in Schuylkill County Prison after a fire in Pottsville early Thursday.
According to Pottsville Chief of Police Richard Wojiechowsky, on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at around 4:20am Pottsville Police responded to the area of 2nd and Arch Street for a structure fire.
Wojiechowsky said this address had previously been secured by City of Pottsville Code Enforcement officers and no one was permitted to be inside at this time.
Upon arrival officers found that the rear of 204 North 2nd street, owned by T&D Pottsville Holdings LLC, was a working fire scene. As the Pottsville Fire Dept arrived and made initial entry while beginning to extinguish the fire, Tyler Hall, 19, no known address and Jessica Yerger, 19, no known address exited the basement. Both stated they had illegally entered the structure approx. three days prior and Hall was found to have an active arrest warrant issued out of Virginia. Further investigation showed that Hall and Yergerhad been illegally staying in the basement area of the building and using candles for lighting.
Based on the initial investigation criminal complaints were prepared by Cpl. Charles Webber charging Hall and Yerger each with Felony Criminal Trespass. They were arraigned by MDJ Reiley and placed into the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $10,000 cash bail each.
The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.
Photo Courtesy of Fire & Film