Pope said he tossed the torch inside the building after awhile, which caused a fire and Pope left, Wick said. Pope said he re-entered the building in an attempt to extinguish that fire, but wasn’t able, Wick said. Pope told investigators he and his companion then left the park, but Pope returned later to watch firefighters battle the blaze, Wick said.

In a later interview with Wick and Trooper Dana Beckwith, a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal, Pope changed his story slightly, Wick said. Pope said he ignited debris inside the Dreamland Ballroom before departing the building, rather than just tossing the torch, Wick said.

Cross-examined by Pope’s attorney, John (Jamie) Mead, Wick said Jesse McGrath and Gordon Hopkins were with Pope at the Harmonsburg Presbyterian Church, but didn’t go inside. Wick said Julie Garrubba was with Pope at the Dreamland Ballroom, but didn’t enter the building with Pope.

Wick said none of those people have been charged.

Paula DiGiacomo, Crawford County first assistant district attorney, declined comment on whether any additional persons may be charged in the case.

Beckwith testified his investigation of the Harmonsburg Presbyterian Church fire scene found the pulpit area of the church was the apparent origin of that fire, but the exact origin and cause weren’t able to be determined. However, he said the fire was suspicious because the church’s electrical system, heating units and water heater were ruled out as causes.

Beckwith said the Dreamland Ballroom fire was considered suspicious because of the way the fire had progressed through the building and statements of firemen at the scene. Firemen from three different vantage points had noticed heavy smoke from the center of the interior of the building, Beckwith said.

Following Wednesday’s hearing, Pope was recommitted to Crawford County jail in lieu of $300,000 bond.