A Lebanon County man is facing multiple charges after starting a fire inside his rented property. He told police it was all an attempt to rid his home of snakes.Police say Richard Waltman started the fire in the bathroom of his residence, located on the 2600 block of Heidelberg Avenue in Heidelberg Township. They say he created a "paper torch" with newspaper and then lit it on fire with a disposable lighter to "combat snakes that were in the bathroom."According to the affidavit of probable cause, Waltman admitted to using and being in possession of marijuana and methamphetamine. In addition to the arson charges, Waltman is also charged with being in possession of a controlled substance, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person. The damage estimate from the fire is $2,000.

A Lebanon County man is facing multiple charges after starting a fire inside his rented property. He told police it was all an attempt to rid his home of snakes.

Police say Richard Waltman started the fire in the bathroom of his residence, located on the 2600 block of Heidelberg Avenue in Heidelberg Township. They say he created a "paper torch" with newspaper and then lit it on fire with a disposable lighter to "combat snakes that were in the bathroom."


According to the affidavit of probable cause, Waltman admitted to using and being in possession of marijuana and methamphetamine.

In addition to the arson charges, Waltman is also charged with being in possession of a controlled substance, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person.

The damage estimate from the fire is $2,000.