CLEARFIELD – A man accused of setting fire to a travel trailer camper in Chest Township in May, was sentenced to state prison Friday.
Andrew Scott Bloom, 38, no address given, pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to 20 months to six years in state prison by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman. He must also pay $2,000 in restitution.
Prior to sentencing, Bloom’s attorney, Jendi Schwab, asked Ammerman to consider giving Bloom a maximum sentence of four years instead of the probation recommendation of seven years.
District Attorney Ryan Sayers responded that he thought the recommendation was appropriate, pointing out; the maximum sentence could go as high as 20 years.
Ammerman noted that this case “involves serious mental health issues” before announcing the sentence.
The criminal complaint details how police were called to the area to investigate the origin of the explosion of a camper on May 27. It was determined by a fire marshal that it was arson.
“It is improbable that any other situation caused the explosion/fire other than an open flamed device by the human hand,” it says in the affidavit of probable cause.
Bloom, the owner of the camper, was taken to the hospital for minor burns. When he was interviewed by investigators, he admitted to starting the fire.
The owner of the property where the camper was parked told police he spoke with Bloom after the fire and Bloom also told him he lit the fire.
Three volunteer fire departments from Westover, Irvona and Hastings, fought the fire which put all of the fire fighters at risk of bodily injury or death. A truck parked near the camper was also damaged.
