The small fire caused by the defendant affected a 9-year-old resident next door, authorities said
A Lansdale woman was sentenced Monday at a guilty plea hearing in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to 18 months of probation for intentionally setting fire to clothing outside an Acorn Street home, burning the exterior of the home, last summer.
Destiny Aida Reilly, 22, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of recklessly endangering another person – which was reduced by the court after her preliminary hearing from a felony charge of arson – and a summary count of dangerous burning, according to court records.
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.
On the afternoon of Aug. 15, 2025, Reilly set fire to a boyfriend’s clothing on the rear steps of the home on the 400 block of Acorn Street, causing damage to the property and endangering neighbors, according to the arrest affidavit.
At 12:45 p.m., police and Fairmount Fire Co. responded to a fire call. Upon arrival, they found smoldering clothing on concrete steps, along with fire extinguisher residue. Neighbors had used the extinguisher to put out the flames, police said.
The vinyl siding and PVC railings next to the concrete stairs were scorched, as was the wood underneath the siding, police said. Smoke had also filled the home, prompting evacuation of residents.
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.
Reilly was free on $50,000 unsecured bail. She was represented by Norristown attorney Brooks Thompson.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
