Joseph Wolbert, of Northeast Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to an arson charge as part of a negotiated agreement with the District Attorney's Office of Philadelphia.
The April 7 fire left the Thrifty Irishman Thrift store in the 2200 block of East Butler Street in ruins.
Special team activated to assist in thrift store blaze investigation
No one was injured in the fire, but it required the response of more than 150 Philadelphia firefighters.
Officials did not disclose Wolbert's potential motive, or if he had any connection to the store. Action News learned he does live in the same neighborhood.
Wolbert was ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution.
The owner of the Thrifty Irishman requested all restitution to be directed toward scholarships for children of fallen and disabled Philadelphia firefighters.
Firefighters battling 4-alarm warehouse fire in Port Richmond