Delco firefighter charged with arson after 3 fires

FOLCROFT, Pa. -- A volunteer firefighter from Glenolden, Delaware County is accused of setting fire to homes he was supposed to help save.

John Corcoran, 19, was in court on Tuesday to face arson charges.

He is accused of setting three fires over the past several months, then responding with his company, the Goodwill Fire Department, to fight those fires.

In addition, investigators say Corcoran enlisted the aid of a 17-year-old to set the fires. That teen has been charged in this case as a minor.

Folcroft Police Chief Robert Ruskowski said what makes this particularly sad is that, when Corcoran was a little boy, he would hang around the fire department and police department, saying he wanted to grow up and be a public servant.

"In this field... you're not surprised by a whole lot. But this is surprising, we knew this guy since he was a kid. To be part of a force that fights those fires, it's kind of sad to see someone go that route," Ruskowski said.

Along with arson, Corcoran is also charged with risking a catastrophe and corruption of a minor.

He is being held on $250,000 cash bail.