Woman deliberately set fire to home, officials say
BROOKHAVEN » A fire inside a single-family residence on Mount Vernon Avenue was deliberately set Friday afternoon, and charges are pending in the case, authorities said.
Borough police were the first to arrive on the scene in the 4100 block of Mount Vernon shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, and were met outside by a 61-year-old woman who reportedly admitted setting her residence on fire, borough Fire Marshal Charles Leslie said Friday night.
The woman was alone inside the Cape Cod-style house when she allegedly set fire to a bed, a couch in the living room, and an enclosed back porch. Gas cans and a generator tank stored on the porch subsequently exploded, according to Leslie.
The blaze drew firefighters from six departments and was brought under control within about 20 minutes, followed by extensive overhaul.
“The residence is uninhabitable,” Leslie said, noting that the American Red Cross was providing assistance to the woman’s husband. He was not at home at the time of the fire.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Doug Drake and Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division Detective Thomas Scarpato assisted Leslie in the arson investigation.
“Charges are pending,” Leslie said, noting the woman had been hospitalized for evaluation.
Assisting Brookhaven firefighters at the scene were Media, Parkside, Upland, Middletown and Aston fire companies, with Boothwyn and Sharon Hill providing backup for Brookhaven during the call.