According to Pottsville Police, emergency crews were dispatched around 12:36 a.m. on May 27, 2026, to 720 W. Norwegian Street in Pottsville for a reported structure fire.
When police and firefighters arrived, flames were venting from the front second-floor windows of the three-story row home. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately 30 minutes, but the fire caused heavy damage to a front bedroom along with smoke and water damage throughout the residence.
During the investigation, authorities learned the family residing at the home had experienced several fires since February 2024 at residences in Palmyra, Port Carbon, and Pottsville.
Investigators also discovered that four separate fires had occurred at the West Norwegian Street home since June 2025, including two incidents that were never reported to 911.
Following a joint investigation conducted by the Pottsville Police Department, Pottsville Bureau of Fire, and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit, Travis Thompson, 31, was charged in connection with the fires.
Thompson faces charges including arson of an inhabited building (F1), aggravated arson (F1), arson endangering property and inhabited buildings (F2), arson-failure to control or report fire (M1), recklessly endangering another person (M2), and criminal mischief (F3).
Police said Thompson was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi and committed to Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post $75,000 bail.