State police at Frackville say the resident who lives at the scene of the Dec. 26 Ryan Township house fire said he “thinks he flicked a few (matches).”

The statement is included in the affidavit or probable cause filed by Trooper Thomas Reese.

Joel Garber, 63, is charged with three felonies, arson-danger of death or bodily injury, arson-intent destroy unoccupied building and risking catastrophe. He is also charged with a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person. A preliminary hearing has not been set. Reese requested an arrest warrant Dec. 30.

Police said they are familiar with Garber, having been to the home at 20 Sherwood Drive “approximately 30 times” in 2020.

Reese responded to the area of Hillside Drive and Sherwood Drive for a suspicious male walking in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, Reese found Garber acting “erratically” while walking. Reese said Garber appeared to be suffering from “mental health and drug related issues.”

Reese drove Garber to his house and he said there were men inside the house trying to harm him, which was unfounded after Reese went inside with Garber. Reese left Garber in the front bedroom after talking to his brother who agreed to call Schuylkill County Crisis.

Less than 90 minutes later, Reese was dispatched to the home for the fire where he saw heavy smoke and fire in the aforementioned bedroom. Reese found Garber in a field still acting erratically and put him in his vehicle.

Reese spoke to a neighbor minutes later who told his wife to call 911 after seeing smoke at the house. Another neighbor said he talked to Garber who said “they are mad at me.” He then asked Garber why, to which he said, “I was flicking matches at them.”

Garber told the neighbor his house was on fire, Reese said.

Reese interviewed Garber, who had been read his Miranda rights and warning, who at first said he didn’t know how the fire started, although he was the only one there. During the interview, Garber said people were chasing him and that “sometimes he sees them and sometimes he doesn’t.”

Reese said Garber showed signs of possible controlled substance use while speaking incoherently. He was taken to the hospital for an evaluation.

State police fire marshal John Burns conducted an investigation and determined the fire was intentional, originating in the front bedroom as evidence indicated no was in the home or near it when the fire started.