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Store Owner Arrested after Fatal Philadelphia Fire

Arson task force took store owner into custody

PHILADELPHIA (MyFoxPhilly) - FOX 29 News has confirmed that a city-wide arson task force has arrested a business owner in connection with an investigation into a fire that resulted in the deaths of two Philadelphia firefighters. Furniture store owner Richard Knellinger was taken into custody by task force agents. He faces fraud and perjury charges as a result of the investigation, which is ongoing. The charges are not related to the fire. It was April 9 when a wall of the burning warehouse at 1817 East York Street collapsed on a furniture store next door, trapping several firefighters and killing two. Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, both of Ladder 10, lost their lives.