Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Coatesville Area Arsons Continue; ATF’s Work Not Yet Finished

Arson investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continue to work alongside members of the Coatesville Police Department, Chester County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI to arrest those responsible for setting close to 70 fires in and around the Coatesville community.

The arsons have continued despite two recent arrests in the case. On February 22, an early morning fire at a West Brandywine Township middle school burned seven school buses, causing $400,000 in damages.

“Our work here in Coatesville is not finished,” noted Mark Potter, special agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “ATF will continue to bring its vast expertise and resources to bear in the investigation. Our multi-agency task force here in Coatesville is working round the clock to find the person or persons responsible for these arsons.

“We’ve assembled a first rate team of investigators here, some of the best in the country,” Potter continued, “and we’re not going to give up until we solve this. It’s that simple. Whoever is doing this will be caught.”

A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the Coatesville arsons. The tip line number is 484-356-6109.