Attempted Murder, Arson Charges Filed In Delco House Fire Case

CHESTER, PA — A Delaware County man has been charged with arson, attempted homicide, and related crimes in connection with a fire set at a home in Chester last week, authorities said.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Brian Keith Showell, 38, of Chester, has been charged with multiple counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and aggravated arson.

The charges stem from a May 13 incident in which fire was set at a home on Vauclain Street in Chester. At the time of the fire, the residents — including children aged 16, 12, 5 and four months — were asleep in the home.

Video surveillance from the day shows a man starting a fire at the back door of the residence.

The male is seen spraying an unknown liquid on the fire on the video.

An adult victim was interviewed, and she was able to identify the male as Showell, the DA's Office said.

The victim said she and her children were asleep in the home when the fire was started, and she was awakened by the smoke alarm and saw smoke throughout the home.

The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary, started by an open flame, such as a match or lighter, applied to combustible material together with an accelerant.

Showell was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he is being held on bail set at 10 percent of $250,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 7.