Peter E. Fulton is headed to state prison after admitting Wednesday in Schuylkill County PA Court that he set fire to an empty residence in Pottsville in August 2016.

Fulton, 21, of Pawling, New York, pleaded guilty to arson, risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person. Prosecutors withdrew three additional counts of arson.

Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and Fulton, sentenced him to serve nine months to five years in a state correctional institution, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, perform 20 hours community service and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Pottsville police charged Fulton with using gasoline to set the fire at 315 Morgan Ave. about 11 p.m. Aug. 25, 2016.

Police alleged they went to the building and found a mattress on fire in a front bedroom, a half-full can of gasoline in the living room and a heavy odor of gasoline permeating the house. Firefighters kept the blaze contained to the bedroom where the burning mattress was found, although the house sustained heat and smoke damage, according to prosecutors.

The house was owned by Fulton’s brother-in-law, Nathan Gable, who identified Fulton as the man who called 911 and admitted setting the fire, police said.

No one was home at the time of the fire and no one was injured as a result of the blaze, which did not damage the house beyond repair, police said.

Police said that after the fire, Fulton fled to New York City, where he was found receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Fulton said little during Wednesday’s hearing except that he understood the terms and consequences of his guilty plea and that he was entering it knowingly and voluntarily.

The defendant

· Name: Peter E. Fulton

· Age: 21

· Residence: Pawling, New York

· Crimes committed: Arson, risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person

· Prison sentence: Nine months to five years in a state correctional institution