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Volunteer Fire Fighter in Poconos Pleads Guilty to Setting Fires

Volunteer Fire Fighter in Poconos Pleads Guilty to Setting Fires - Friday, November 16, 2007 at 6:47PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Nov 16, 2007 @06:47pm EST

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY- A volunteer fire fighter who was supposed to put out fires instead set fires throughout his home town. We were the first to tell you a serial arsonist in Monroe County was a volunteer firefighter.

Matthew Grebb kept quiet as he left the Monroe County Courthouse after he plead guilty to setting four fires over the last few years. Grebb set those fires while he was a firefighter for the Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Department.

Barrett Township Fire Chief Larry Cramer said "We’re just lucky none of our firemen or no people got hurt in his actions."

Chief Cramer told us about the day police arrested Grebb. "I just tried to ask him why and he just said he messed up. That was all he could tell me."

Grebb admitted he set fires at two homes, a business, and a nature conservancy. He caused more than two-hundred-twenty-five thousand dollars in damages.

Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Chris Jones explained what penalties Grebb could face. "With an aggregate sentence he could be looking at or exposing himself to 80 years of incarceration and a 100-thousand-dollar fine because arson is a very serious charge in Pennsylvania."

Grebb was accused of setting at least three other fires. But as part of the plea agreement he will not be prosecuted for those.

Since Grebb's arrest, the Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Department has put some new rules into place, including requiring background checks on new recruits.

Chief Cramer explained "We have the police do background checks now and we changed our application to the fire company. They have to use references."

The chief said the department never had a firefighter who set fires before Matthew Grebb.

"I hope he gets help and gets himself straightened out" stated Chief Cramer.

And under his watch they won't have one ever again.

Grebb is currently out on bail. His sentencing date has not yet been set. In addition to facing jail time and fines Grebb will also have to pay between six and 700-thousand dollars in restitution.

 


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