Courts (Credit: LevittownNow)
Police said the defendant admitted setting fire to her boyfriend’s clothes on Acorn Street, scorching the home and endangering neighbors
A felony arson charge and a summary count of dangerous burning were held for Montgomery County court following a preliminary hearing last week for a 22-year-old Lansdale woman accused of intentionally setting fire to her boyfriend’s clothing on the rear steps of her Acorn Street residence, causing damage to the property and endangering neighbors.
Destiny Aida Reilly was charged in August by borough police for her alleged role in the incident, which sparked after police responded to a fire call at 12:45 p.m. Aug. 15, 2025 on the 400 block of Acorn Street.
Police found smoldering clothing on the cement steps behind the home, along with fire extinguisher residue. Neighbors told police they had used the extinguisher to put out the flames, per the complaint.
According to the affidavit, the vinyl siding and PVC railings next to the stairs were scorched, and the wood beneath the siding had also sustained damage. Smoke had filled the home, prompting response from the Fairmount Fire Co. and the Lansdale fire marshal.
Police said Reilly admitted to starting the fire, telling officers she burned her boyfriend’s belongings with a lighter because of personal grievances, according to the complaint. She denied using an accelerant, police said.
At the time of the incident, the adjoining unit of the twin home was occupied by a 9-year-old child and a 21-year-old adult, police said.
Reilly is free on $50,000 unsecured bail, according to court records. She is represented by Norristown attorney Brooks Thompson, court records show. She will be arraigned Dec. 10 in county court.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
