A retired Scranton, Pa., firefighter faces numerous charges, including arson and insurance fraud, in connection with a 2008 fire at an apartment building he owned that prosecutors say was torched to collect more than $215,000 in insurance on the property.

Thomas S. Gervasi, 56, of Madison Township, Pa., surrendered to authorities Jan. 21 on charges connected to the fire that displaced 14 people and sent two people to the hospital, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune.

Gervasi, who retired from the Scranton Fire Department in 2001, was released on $100,000 bail, according to the report.

Citing the complaint and affidavit filed by law enforcement officials, Gervasi allegedly started the fire at the rear of a two-bay garage attached to a building he owned, with what prosecutors allege was a financial motive.

Prior to the fire, Gervasi was $160,000 in debt, with liens against his properties for failure to pay utilities, credit cards and other creditors; a foreclosure complaint was filed on three properties he owned, including the one where the fire occurred.

Following the blaze, Gervasi filed a claim for loss with Ohio Casualty Insurance, which insured the building for $215,000, along with $12,300 for fair rental value and $1,000 for personal property, according to the report. That claim was never paid.

Gervasi was interviewed three times by police regarding the fire, telling investigators it was likely started by an overheated chain saw or the catalytic converter of the Cadillac Escalade parked in the garage. After noticing smoke coming from the garage he was in minutes earlier, he told investigators he went to evacuate tenants from the building.

The Times-Tribune reports that a neighbor saw Gervasi inside the garage after smelling smoke and several neighbors told police they had never seen a vehicle parked in the garage, which was in poor condition.

Gervasi faces seven counts of arson endangering persons, two counts of arson endangering property, five counts of reckless burning, five counts of criminal mischief and one count of insurance fraud, according to the report.

If convicted on all charges, he could receive up to 237 years in prison.