Accused fire setter poses for picture at fire scene. Cops say man had stolen fire department radios & has previous serial arson arrest.

Click here for more of Steven J. Roth’s photos from the May 7 fire in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

The before and after pictures of 46-year-old Frank Powers Pittenturf Jr. One taken at the scene of a fire and the other following his arrest on charges he set that fire.

Pittenturf, on the left in the picture above with Hanover Fire Captain Tony Clousher, posed for this shot on May 7. Our regular contributor from Pennsylvania Steve Roth (911 Photography, SJRoth Photography, SjRoth Blog) snapped the photo while shooting a fire at the former Super Subs store and adjacent apartments.

Pittenturf was charged a week ago with setting that fire and a brush fire.

Notice the radio in Pittenturf’s hands. He has also been accused of buying radios that had been stolen from fire departments in Felton and York.

This is all familiar terroritory for Frank Pittenturf. Check out the Gettysburg Times article below from August 12, 1992 when Pittenturf was charged in a series of fires in Gettysburg.

Here are excerpts from an article about the recent events by The Evening Sun’s Katharine Harmon: 

As firefighters battled the building blaze, Pittenturf called 911 to report the brush fire to the rear of 577 Broadway, according to court documents.

Hanover police and State Police Fire Marshal Patrick McKenna responded to the scene and spoke to Pittenturf since he had called 911, according to court documents. Pittenturf admitted he was at the York Street fire moments before, and was excited, so he stopped his bike on the way home and used his lighter to set the bush on fire, police said.

May 7 Hanover fire by Steven J. Roth. Click the image for more pictures from the fire.

Pittenturf told police he entered the abandoned sub shop and lit what he thought was carpet lying on the floor, according to court documents. He said he knew the first floor was vacant and the fire wouldn’t spread to the above apartments or adjoining structures.

Hanover Police met with Pittenturf on May 5 regarding possible stolen property, and noticed a portable MACON radio on his belt, according to court documents. The radio was the same type and model used by emergency personnel in York County, police said.

Pittenturf said he purchased the radio for $20 from John L. Ausherman, of 572 Broadway, Room 1.

Police also learned that Pittenturf was in possession of another portable radio and its charger that had been reported stolen by York City Police, according to court documents. The equipment, which was worth $2,757, had been stolen from the York City Fire Company, police said.

Ausherman was also charged with two counts of receiving stolen property.

Also on STATter911 …

• DC firefighter on paid leave for two years now under arrest. Natalie Overton Williams charged with fraud. – December 16, 2010
• What are the odds? Vacaville, CA firefighter finds items stolen from his home while on medical call. – February 3, 2012
• Video: Car crashes into Hooters & catches fire. The story from St. Louis. – January 22, 2011
• Frederick, Maryland firefighter accused of trying to set seriously ill ATF agent’s home on fire. Police say Independent Hose volunteer claims he’s in love with the woman. – May 15, 2011