Ashwood Apartments Resident Charged In Devastating July Fire

NORTH COVENTRY TOWNSHIP, PA — A woman authorities say started the July 30 fire at Ashwood Apartments, leaving her neighbors homeless and some injured, is charged with 250 counts of misdemeanor Reckless Endangerment, as well as five felonies.

Toni Kirk, 30, is accused of recklessly causing the fire that completely destroyed the 43-unit Ashwood Apartments in North Coventry Township, on July 30, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, North Coventry Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police and Chester County Fire Marshal, who announced charges against Kirk on Wednesday.

The fire caused several injuries to residents and first responders, and the displacement and loss of possessions for all 100 residents. Damage is estimated to be at least $5 million. Last week, Chester County reported 20 families displaced in the fire are still seeking permanent housing.

The felony charges against Kirk include: Causing a Catastrophe, Risking a Catastrophe, Criminal Mischief Intentional Damage to Property, and Aggravated Assault.

Charges of Recklessly Endangering Another Person are multiple; Kirk faces 250 counts of this second-degree misdemeanor, according to the court docket, as well as seven counts of simple assault, also a second-degree misdemeanor.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office, located in Binghamton, NY, took Kirk into custody on Oct. 6, without incident, local authorities said. Assignment of court appearances in Chester County await Kirk's extradition from New York.

"While no one, fortunately, lost their lives in the Ashwood Apartments fire, the long-term impact on these people and their families is devastating," said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan.

The DA's complaint said a fire was reported at the Ashwood Apartments, at 782 Worth Boulevard in North Coventry Township, at 7:21 p.m. on July 30. A resident reported fire and smoke were visible in apartment #315 on the third floor and that people were trapped inside.

North Coventry Police officers determined that Kirk lived in apartment #315. Police officers who saw Kirk at the scene said she appeared to be under the influence of narcotics.

One victim reported hearing a loud bang, and said she saw Kirk outside apartment #315 as smoke was coming out of the apartment, according to official reports. The victim gathered her belongings but faced black smoke in the hallway when she tried to leave her apartment. She was overcome by smoke and lost consciousness. Norco Fire Chief Joel McMillian found the victim on the third floor and carried her out of the building to safety, Ryan's office reported.

"They lost their homes, their belongings, and their sense of safety," said Ryan.

Several other victims suffered smoke inhalation and respiratory difficulties, as well as other injuries as a result of the fire and required hospitalization. Over 200 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene to assist. Several firefighters were treated for burns, heat exhaustion and chest pain, according to reports.

The district attorney's office reported multiple witnesses said the defendant was the only one to exit apartment #315 after the fire. In a later interview with police, Kirk allegedly admitted that she was present in the building at the time of the fire, but accused another person of starting the fire, police said. Police said they later determined that the person Kirk accused was not at the apartments at the time of the fire.

On July 31, Chester County Chief Fire Marshal John Weer and Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Timothy Pray determined the fire originated in the living room of apartment #315, on or near a bed or mattress. The fire was ruled incendiary, meaning investigators then believed it was deliberately set, and not an accident.

"We thank the North Coventry Township Police Department, Chester County Fire Marshal, Norco Fire Department, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit, DES, and EMS for their heroic efforts by saving lives," Ryan said.

"They are a testament to the fearless first responders who risk their own safety in order to protect us every day. We are also grateful to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the arrest of the defendant. We will seek justice for these people by prosecuting Toni Kirk to the fullest extent of the law," the district attorney added.

Future court dates are not set, as Kirk is being extradited from New York, according to reports.

Interim North Coventry Township Police Chief Matt Deicher pointed to the cooperation of emergency services agencies with law enforcement to save lives and investigate the case effectively.

"We have a long history of working closely with the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Chester County Detectives, the Fire Marshal’s Office, Department of Emergency Services, the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Philadelphia. Thank you for the swift action of our first responders from the Norco Fire Company and their mutual-aid all-volunteer fire companies that assisted in bringing the fire under control and saved the lives of those who were trapped in the burning building. We are blessed that no lives were lost and we are hopeful that justice will serve the victims as the case moves through the court," said Deicher.

"The great teamwork between the local municipal authorities, Fire Investigators, County Detectives, and the District Attorney’s Office have helped us throughout the investigation of this case. We hope our collaborative work can bring justice to the displaced families and the countless volunteers who risked their lives to put the fire out," said Weer.

Anyone with further information concerning this fire investigation is asked to call the North Coventry Township Police Department at 610-323-8360.