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Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Arson

By Al Novack

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- A 19-year-old volunteer firefighter who grew up admiring police and firefighters is now behind bars.

He's charged, along with a 17-year-old, with arson and risking a catastrophe.

Police say the firefighter, identified as John Corcoran of Glenolden, acknowledged setting fires to three vacant homes in Darby Township from May to July.

Corcoran was a member of Goodwill Fire Company Number 1 of Darby Township.

Corcoran surrendered to police on Tuesday and was arraigned. He's been held on $250,000 bail and scheduled for an August 20th hearing.

The 17-year-old has been charged as a juvenile. Police say no one was hurt in the fires, and that Corcoran fought the arson fires alongside his fellow firefighters.

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