Woman gets probation for 2020 arson at Bell Township home

A former Bell Township woman was sentenced Tuesday to two years of probation in connection with a 2020 arson at her home.

Britny A. Parks, 30, now of Texas, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of failure to report/control a dangerous fire. Other charges, including arson, were dismissed. The plea stemmed from a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Westmoreland County Judge Scott Mears ordered Parks to get a mental health evaluation.

“For setting fire to a house and putting lives of firefighters in danger, you should be very thankful to your attorney that you ended up with a probationary sentence,” he said.

Parks was accused of intentionally setting a fire Aug. 31, 2020, at her Stewart Street home in order to collect insurance money for the residence she had unsuccessfully attempted to sell.

Witnesses told investigators that Parks asked two friends to fix up the home, and later burn it down to recover insurance money. Police said the blaze originated in two locations and was set by the use of an incendiary device, possibly a lighter that was found at the scene.

Parks was at the house the day of the fire to remove items. She left to travel out of state about an hour before neighbors reported smoke, according to a complaint.

A claim was filed the day after the fire with Parks’ home insurance company, but no payment was ever made. The claim was withdrawn in May 2021. Parks admitted guilt during Tuesday’s hearing.

Defense attorney Robert Perkins said she is moving back to Pennsylvania within the next month or so and can serve her probation locally.