Two Headed To Trial In Arson That Led To Fire Official’s Line-Of-Duty Death

Two men are headed to trial on arson and related charges after a preliminary hearing Wednesday for an August 2025 fire that destroyed a home.

District Judge David Chichilitti ordered all charges forwarded to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas against Charles William Vandenberg, 51, and Gavin Ross Montoya, 28, both of Croydon. The two men face charges of arson, dangerous burning, reckless endangerment, risking catastrophe, and other offenses.

The charges are connected to an early morning blaze on Aug. 8, 2025, at 713 Cedar Avenue in the Croydon section of Bristol Township.

Five residents managed to escape the burning home without injury, but a pet cat died in the fire.

The prosecution’s case was boosted Wednesday by the testimony of Thomas J. Parker, 36, of Croydon. He is a co-defendant in the case.

Parker reached a deal with prosecutors earlier this year to testify against Vandenberg and Montoya.

In exchange, Parker waived his own charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and hindering apprehension onto the Court of Common Pleas.

According to court records, text messages intercepted by investigators showed Vandenberg telling Montoya he wanted a work van at the property “torched.” Montoya allegedly responded by asking for “$10gs in 2 bags.”

When questioned by investigators, Vandenberg allegedly admitted to being involved “in the littlest bit.” He claimed he only intended for a road flare to be used as a “smoke bomb” to destroy clothing he had previously paid for.

Police said security surveillance footage captured Montoya throwing an object through the back window of the work van at 5:13 a.m. on the morning of the fire.

Parker allegedly told police he accompanied Montoya that morning under the impression that Montoya planned to rob someone for drugs.

“This was not supposed to go down this way,” Parker reportedly told authorities.

Bristol Township Fire Police Officer Ed Margavich, 80, responded to the call and was directing traffic at the scene of the arson. A short time later, he fell and broke his femur after stopping at the nearby Croydon Fire Company station. The veteran firefighter died a week later from sepsis resulting from his injuries.

Authorities ruled Margavich’s passing a line-of-duty death, but the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office stated that the legal circumstances do not allow for criminal charges to be filed against the arson defendants in connection with his death.

Members of the Third District Fire Company and township fire police turned out in force at Wednesday’s hearing to make their presence known to the defendants.

Vandenberg is free after posting 10 percent of $350,000 bail, while Parker and Montoya remain in custody unable to post bail.