Lansdale Man Gets 23 Mos. for Setting Fire After Getting Fired

A Lansdale man is headed to prison on Feb. 15 for up to 23 months for admitting to setting a fire to paper rolls inside Berk Wiper Converting after being fired.

Tyrone A. Heitz, 22, of the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive, pleaded guilty Monday to recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief, according to Peg Gibbons of The Intelligencer.

Heitz had two felony arson charges withdrawn at his preliminary hearing in August 2012.

He was not prosecuted on a third felony arson charge in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, or a disorderly conduct charge, according to court records.

Heitz will be on two years’ probation following parole, according to the article.

Heitz will also undergo a psychiatric evaluation for arson-risk assessment and must perform 48 hours of community service, according to the report.

Read Gibbons’ full story at this link.

Heitz was fired the morning of April 19 from Berk Wiper Converting at 707 N. Valley Forge Road, according to an affidavit. As he was leaving, Heitz lit an 800-pound, $3,500 roll of paper on fire with an unknown item in the warehouse, according to the affidavit.

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

Heitz 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. Berk Wiper Converting manager Thomas 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, who is accused of robbery on July 16 and possession of heroin in Fifth Street Park 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.