KANE — A Smethport man is in McKean County Jail after another person in his home started a fire in the wood stove, causing ammunition in guns hidden in the stove to explode.
Robert Krehl, 58, of 13244 Route 6, is charged with 12 counts of illegal possession of firearms by a felon, all of which are second-degree felonies. Police said a 2004 conviction on possession of child pornography prevents Krehl from legally possessing firearms.
At 9:34 a.m. May 22, state police were dispatched to Krehl’s home for a report of firearms discovered in the residence. At the residence, police spoke to Loriann Frappier, who said she had lit a fire in the wood stove in the living room of the residence. When she did, something inside the stove exploded. She told police she discovered two firearms hidden in the stove, according to the criminal complaint in the case.
Frappier led police to 10 other firearms in the home, located in the living room and in a hidden closet. Police seized all 12 of the firearms from the home, the complaint stated.
Krehl was arraigned Friday before District Judge David Engman in Kane and remanded to McKean County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.
