Pennsylvania State Police troopers are investigating a fire in the village of Sagamore that was allegedly intentionally set late-Tuesday night. Nobody was injured in the fire, but the house was destroyed. (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Pennsylvania State Police troopers are asking for public assistance during their investigation of a Sagamore fire late-Tuesday night.
Rural Valley Fire Chief Kevin Nelson said the fire dispatch came shortly after 11PM for a fire at the intersection of Wagner Avenue and Sagamore Road in Cowanshannock Township.
“(The fire) destroyed the house,” Chief Nelson said. “It was completely in flames when we got there and that was during the time of night when we had a heavy wind so (the wind) carried (the fire) through the whole house.”
The fire also spread to a garage not attached to the house. All valuables inside the residence were
The home owner – 61-year-old Dennis Piper, Sr. - was not injured in the fire, but first responders were told that the fire was intentionally set.
Investigators were told the arsonist was driving a green SUV.
State Police investigation has already determined it was allegedly set from the front of the residence, but further interviews are pending.
Chief Nelson was unable to determine where or how the fire started. He does not need to conduct any more investigation for his report.
Rural Valley’s mutual aid companies – Elderton and Plumville (Indiana County) assisted with both water and manpower at the structure fire.
Crews were back in station by 2:30AM.
Live First Energy wires were also reportedly on the ground near the fire scene and had to be shut off by authorities.
A NuMine man last year pled guilty to a fire in the municipality.
William Hulsey was sentenced to four months to five years in Armstrong County Jail for setting fire to a couch in a home along Second Street.
The home occupant - Simon Semanovich – was not injured in that fire.
That fire was also investigated by the State Police Fire Marshalls Unit.