Two Arson Charges Against Lansdale Man Withdrawn

Two felony arson charges were withdrawn at a preliminary hearing for Tyrone Allan Wyche Heitz, 21, of the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive.

Heitz is accused of starting a fire after getting fired.

Heitz will face a felony arson charge, a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person and a summary charge of disorderly conduct at a September 26 arraignment at Montgomery County court, according to court documents.

On April 19, at 7:35 a.m., a Lansdale Police officer responded to Berk Wiper Converting at 707 N. Valley Forge Road for a report of an employee that set papers on fire, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Upon arrival, police checked the surrounding area for the suspect, according to court records.

An officer made contact with the manager of Berk Wiper Converting, Thomas Rogers, who reported that Heitz was fired the morning of April 19, according to court records.

The affidavit states that as Heitz was leaving the facility, he allegedly lit a roll of paper on fire with an unknown source in the warehouse.

The warehouse and office building were occupied with several employees, according to court records.

Rogers told police Heitz allegedly lit the paper on fire because he was upset at being fired, according to court documents.

The paper roll was 102 inches long and weighed 800 pounds, according to court documents. The roll was valued at $3,500. Several other rolls of paper were located around the roll that was on fire.

Heitz allegedly left on foot out a door located in the front of the building facing Valley Forge Road, police said.

As Heitz left, the flame grew, police said. Rogers attempted to put out the fire and burned his hand, according to court records.

The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher prior to police arrival, according to court records.

Heitz is the older brother of Ronald Heitz, and in on July 5.

Heitz had a DUI case adjudicated at Montgomery County Court in April 2011, according to court records. He was accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for one year, had his license suspended and was assigned community service, according to court records.