Police: Man arrested with pocket full of lighters after 3 West Philadelphia porch fires

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A man was arrested with a pocket full of lighters following a string of porch fires in West Philadelphia overnight, according to police.

The first of the fires was reported around midnight at a porch on the 5200 block of Spruce Street, with the fire starting outside and spreading into the house.

A short time later, crews responded to the 5100 block of Addison Street for a reported rubbish fire.

Soon after, firefighters were on the scene of a third fire at a porch on the 5100 block of Larchwood Avenue.

Authorities tell FOX 29 the man allegedly told a couple of the victims he wanted to become a fireman.

Police say 22-year-old Carlos Barry was arrested and charge with several counts of arson and related offenses.

The fires were all discovered within 90 minutes of each other.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fires.