Man charged with arson in fire that burned brush and trees and threatened chemical plant

Staff report

HOWLAND

Joseph A. Fuller, 48, of Howland and Champion, was arraigned Wednesday in Warren Municipal Court on a felony arson charge related to a 4 p.m. brush fire Tuesday near 3548 Birchwood Ave. NE.

A not-guilty plea was entered for him, and he was released after posting a $10,000 personal-recognizance bond, meaning he didn’t have to pay anything. If convicted, he could get 18 months in prison.

Fuller was not at the location when firefighters arrived, but he had been issued warnings in the past for the burning of inappropriate materials, said James Pantaline, Howland fire chief.

Earlier fires at that location were reported to Mahoning-Trumbull Air Pollution Control agency, but no criminal charges were filed.

This fire, however, damaged a vehicle, camper and shed at the home, where Fuller has been known to reside in the past, and the fire also burned a wooded area about 100 yards by 300 yards, Pantalone said. Trees and brush were burned up to about 4 feet above ground, Pantalone said.

Inappropriate materials also were burned in this fire, and because of high winds, the fire had the potential to travel further north and could have threatened a chemical plant not far away, Pantaline said.

Howland firefighters were assisted by seven other departments in extinguishing the fire over a couple of hours. The location is north of North River Road and west of Elm Road.

In all, 29 firefighters worked on the fire, including six fire engines, two rescue trucks, three brush units, two service vehicles and two command vehicles.