Sean Gahagan, 57, of Lebanon, Pa., who is accused of intentionally setting fires at JG Transmissions in Upper Moreland Township and at a residence in Huntingdon Valley, is facing new arson charges for allegedly setting a third fire.
According to PhillyBurbs, Gahagan now faces a misdemeanor charge in connection with a shed fire in the 2200 block of Charles Street in the Glenside section of Abington Township.
Officials say Gahagan set all three fires starting shortly after midnight on December 29, 2023, and that he knew the victims. An investigation revealed that he was convicted in 2004 of setting fire to the same Huntingdon Valley home occupied by a former neighbor, the affidavit said.
He was arraigned Friday on four felonies, including arson, PhillyBurbs reported.
Backstory
At approximately 8:45pm on December 29, firefighters and Upper Moreland Police were dispatched to a fire at JG Transmissions, an auto mechanic shop at 616 Davis Road in Willow Grove. Upon arrival, they found the commercial building engulfed in flames, with the worst of the fire centered around the front office area of the building.
An investigation into the cause of the fire, which completely destroyed JG Transmissions and caused limited damage to the shed, found that both fires were intentionally set. Inside the shed, fire investigators found a can of fire-starting fluid and a can of “Gum Cutter,” which is a highly flammable product used to clean various parts of automotive engines. The fire investigators found that “Gum Cutter” is a product used by JG Transmissions.
Photos from the JG Transmissions fire on December 29
A joint investigation by Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland Police found that Gahagan, a former employee of JG Transmissions, had visited the business at 10:00am on the day of the fire asking for work, but was told none was available. At the time of his unannounced visit, Gahagan was wearing a hooded camouflage jacket and driving a red Chevrolet Cobalt.
On January 1, Lebanon City Police arrested Gahagan for trespassing inside a church. At the time of his arrest, Gahagan was wearing a camouflage jacket that matched the subject’s jacket seen in surveillance video running from the fire at JG Transmissions.
He was arraigned on January 19, by Magisterial District Judge Denise Ashe, who set bail at $500,000 cash. Gahagan was then sent to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Gahagan was charged with first-degree Felony Arson, as well as six other felony counts of Arson, Risking Catastrophe, Burglary, Theft by Unlawful Taking, Criminal Mischief and Possessing an Instrument of Crime.
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Photo: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office