LANCASTER – Three former firefighters for the Hempfield Volunteer Fire Department have been accused of doing exactly the opposite of what they’re supposed to do. 23-year-old Joshua Lightcap, 21-year-old Mason Howard, and an unnamed 16-year-old have all been charged with criminal conspiracy to commit arson, recklessly endangering another person, and criminal conspiracy to commit agricultural vandalism, among other charges. The charges were filed on February 18th, by the East Hempfield Township Police, but Friday, February 21st, Amtrak Police added to the list with charges of their own. Amtrak filed conspiracy to commit arson of a historic resource and defiant trespass charges against Lightcap, as one of the five fires he’s accused of setting was on Amtrak property in Landisville. The series of five fires occurred this past fall on October 26th, November 2nd, November 8th, November 9th, and November 28th. All three firefighters also responded to the fires once they were reported to the Hempfield Volunteer Fire Department. The charges come as a result of a three-month investigation.
