The man charged with arson for a fire in Mahanoy City in November must now answer for it in Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

A preliminary hearing was held Thursday for Brendon Hasara of no permanent address in Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker’s Office, Shenandoah.

Hasara is charged with eight counts of arson, five counts of recklessly endangering another person, and one count each of causing a catastrophe, defiant trespass and criminal mischief.

The Mahanoy City Police Department charged him for the fire Nov. 18 in the 1000 block of East Pine Street. Fire Chief Dan Markiewicz said six homes were damaged, three were gutted and two habitable.

Properties at 1015, 1017, 1019 sustained heavy fire damage. Those at 1013, 1021 and 1023 have smoke and water damage.

He said the fire was “definitely arson” with the origin the first floor of 1017 E. Pine St., a conclusion reached by the fire department, police department and fire marshal Joe Hall of the state police at Frackville.

Hasara remains in Schuylkill County Prison on $150,000 cash bail.