Two Men Charged With Setting Lehigh Avenue Fire

Two men were arrested and charged with setting a Lehigh Avenue house on fire on Oct. 4 after they admitted to "careless playing with fire," according to the Salisbury Township Police Department.

George Klaum, 20, of the 1400 block of E. Susquehanna St., Salisbury, and Nathan Williams, 21, of the 1500 block of Dale Lane, Bethlehem, were charged Oct. 19 with arson, defiant trespassing and criminal mischief by fire, according to a police department news release.

They were each released on $15,000 unsecured bail.

The pair "admitted to setting fire to the home in the 1400 Block of Lehigh Ave.," the news release said.

The men said "their careless playing with fire caused the home to be lost. Both individuals cooperated with police once confronted about the incident and evidence that was provided to them," the release said.

At about 2 a.m. Oct. 4, Salisbury Township police and fire units were dispatched to 1456 Lehigh Ave. for a structure fire. When police arrived, the home was fully engulfed, with flames shooting through the roof.

The fire was extinguished by Eastern Salisbury Fire Department, which was assisted by Western Salisbury Fire Department, Fountain Hill Fire Department, Se-Wy-Co Fire Department, Emmaus Fire Department, St. Luke’s EMS and Macungie EMS Rehabilitation unit.

No injuries were reported and the fire was under control within the hour.  Salisbury Police Sgt. Donald Sabo, who is also the police department's fire marshal, said the fire was intentionally set.