Bensalem police charge firefighter in-training with arson

Firefighter in-training Alberto Acevedo (left) and Robert Schaeffer, both 19, were arrested for allegedly conspiring to commit arson.
Credit: Bensalem Township Police Department

A 19-year-old firefighter in-training was arrested Thursday for allegedly committing arson in Bensalem, according to police.

Alberto Acevedo, 19, was charged with arson, reckless endangerment and conspiracy for allegedly conspiring with Robert Schaeffer, also 19, to on Aug. 20 set fire to the laundry room of the Bucks Meadows Apartments located at 3131 Knight Rd.

Police said the blaze resulted in a full evacuation of the building and required multiple Bensalem fire companies to extinguish.

Acevedo, of the 3100 block of Knight Road, was formerly a member of the Third District Fire Company in Bristol Township and was at the time of his arrest a probationary member of the Eddington Fire Company in Bensalem, according to investigators.

Schaeffer, who was arrested Sept. 20, is also being charged with allegedly starting a fire Sept. 19 in a rear storage room of the vacant Delta Gas Station located at 2030 Street Rd.

Schaeffer, who police said has no fixed address, was charged with burglary, arson and reckless endangerment.

Both he and Acevedo were committed to Bucks County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $75,000 cash bail.