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Firefighter, 2 Others Charged In Arson At Historic Croydon Mansion

BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) -- Three suspects, including a volunteer firefighter, have been charged with intentionally setting to fire to a historic mansion in Bucks County that caused significant damage.

Dennis Rose III and Michael Kurfuss, both 19, and 21-year-old Nicholas Ricciardi have been charged with arson and other related offenses in connection with the February 22nd fire at the Croydon Mansion. Authorities say Ricciardi is a Bristol Township volunteer firefighter.

Firefighters responded to the fire on Feb. 22nd at the Croydon Mansion, a 237-year-old historic site that is located in the 1200 block of Gibson Road. The fire caused substantial damage to the building.

The Bensalem Fire Department labeled the fire as an arson.

Investigators say Rose, Kurfuss and Ricciardi were part of a group that called themselves the "Black Flag Family Gang." Authorities say they broke into the structure and deliberately set the fire with the intent to destroy the 237-year-old mansion.

The suspects were arraigned and are being held on $200,000, 10-percent bail.

Police say the trio has been in custody since the end of February after being arrested for an alleged armed robbery in Bristol Township.

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