Pair of women charged in arson

NORRISTOWN » Two women have been charged with arson and related offenses in connection with a fire in the 500 block of Kohn Street Feb. 10.

According to the police report, arrest warrants were issued for the women after an investigation determined that they were responsible for a molotov cocktail which ignited the blaze around 12:20 a.m.

Their names have not been released because the criminal complaint has not yet been authorized by the Montgomery County District Attorney Office’s office.

First responders arrived at the scene to find heavy smoke

emanating from the basement window of a threestory twin townhome.

Police helped evacuate eight people from a second-floor apartment as fire crews worked to extinguish the fire in the basement.

Paramedics tended to the evacuees and the American Red Cross provided assistance to four adults and two children displaced by the fire.

According to investigators, the basement of the building sustained severe heat and smoke damage, and the rest of the structure was heavily damaged by smoke.

In the process of conducting the investigation, fire officials discovered a melted plastic bottle that had been modified for use as an incendiary device.

They determined that the fire was intentionally set by someone using an open flame to ignite a rag stuffed into the bottle, which contained combustible liquid.

A witness at the scene told police two known suspects used a molotov cocktail to start the house fire.

The witness reportedly heard glass break on the side of the building and saw the suspects standing near the residence.

According to the witness, one of the suspects was carrying a bottle with flames coming out of the top of it, and hurled it through the basement window opening. The witness said the other suspect threw another object into the opening before they both fled through an adjacent alley.

Police also learned of an ongoing dispute between the suspects and a resident at the house that was firebombed.