An official with the state department of forestry testified Tuesday at the trial of a Summit Hill man charged with deliberately setting 16 brush fires in 2008, that investigators found 31 incendiary devices at various sites around where the fires occurred.

Wesley Keller, a specialist supervisor with the forestry bureau, which falls under the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), said he was involved in the investigation of the 16 fires, which occurred during the period of March 17 to April 18, 2008. The fires occurred mostly in Lower Towamensing Township, with some also occurring in Parryville and Franklin Township.

Frank Duane Swartz, 45, has been charged with 60 felony counts by state police who said he is responsible for setting the fires. He is facing counts of arson-danger of death or bodily injury; arson-endangering property-reckless endangerment of inhabited buildings; possession of explosive/incendiary materials; risking a catastrophe; and maliciously setting/causing fire to a forest. If convicted of the charges he facing a minimum prison term of about 20 years.

The trial of Swartz began Monday afternoon before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II and is expected to continue the rest of the week.

In his opening statement to the jury Assistant District Attorney James Lavelle said a fingerprint and DNA was found on one of the incendiary devices found at one of the fire scenes, which led to the arrest of Swartz. The incendiary device consisted of a pack of matches, with a burnt cigarette laying across the matches and held in place by a rubber band.

Swartz was interviewed by state police in November 2008 and admitted to setting the fires, troopers said. In January 2010 Swartz pleaded guilty to 16 counts in connection with the fires. However, prior to his scheduled sentencing he withdrew his plea claiming he was innocent.

In his opening statement to the jury, defense attorney Michael Gough told the jury that Swartz will explain how his DNA and fingerprint could have been found on the pack of matches found by investigators. He also claimed that Swartz was under great duress when interviewed by Trooper David Klitsch and admitted to setting the fires. Klitsch is prosecutor in the case.

Details probe

Keller told the jury he was involved in the investigation of the 16 brush fires as he was assigned to the Carbon County area. He detailed each fire relative to the dates and time, the amount of property that was damaged and other details.

Many of the fires occurred on the property of the Blue Ridge Country Club, some on the Alliance Sand Company property and other private properties.

One fire, along E. Fireline Road, endangered the Eastern Comfort Living Center, described as a residence for the elderly. Testimony indicated the fire was stopped about 20 feet short of a building associated with the center.

An evacuation of the center was ordered and the elderly residents, many still in their pajamas, were led from the home.

Keller said he did not find devices at the origin of all the fires. Some devices were found in the area of the fires and not all the devices had been ignited.

He said all of the devices were collected and sent to a state police laboratory for examination and testing for fingerprints and DNA.

Testimony was heard from a total of 12 witnesses Tuesday. In addition to Keller, testifying were firefighters from the various fire companies that responded to the fires, property owners, township employees, and two persons who found some of the incendiary devices.

Nanovic recessed the trial shortly after 4 p.m. and it resumed at 9 a.m. today.