A Dunmore home packed with four families and at least three small children was sitting ducks for disaster over the weekend, according to police, who say a 46-year-old woman set a fire beneath the building's wooden porch while everyone inside was home. No one was hurt, but investigators say the danger was real enough to bring 29 criminal charges against the suspect, Jennifer Marie Kania.
According to WNEP, Dunmore police investigated the fire at 1810 Green Ridge Street after Kania allegedly set a large hat ablaze beneath a wooden porch at the address. The building holds four apartments, and as reported by The Times-Tribune, it housed at least six adults and three children under the age of 13, all of whom were home Saturday night into Sunday morning.
WNEP reported that the fire was set around 2 a.m. Sunday beneath the porch at the same address. The Times-Tribune reported that Dunmore police responded to the address shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday following a report of a disorderly woman who had left a burning hat on the porch.
Police Couldn't Reach Everyone Inside
Dunmore firefighters checked the home to make sure the fire would not reignite, per WNEP's reporting. But the scramble to account for every resident ran into a snag: officers were unable to make contact with one of the apartments, meaning there could have been additional victims the night of the fire, according to the same Times-Tribune report.
A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal determined the origin of the fire was the location where burn marks were observed, the Times-Tribune reported. Dunmore detectives went on to identify Kania as the suspect, and authorities say the four families inside had no idea of the potential for catastrophic damage to life and property that night.
29 Charges Filed
Police charged Kania with nine counts each of criminal attempt of aggravated arson, criminal attempt of arson, and recklessly endangering another person, along with one count each of arson endangering property and risking a catastrophe, the Times-Tribune reported. In total, the Dunmore Borough Police Department says Kania faces 29 charges tied to the incident.
Under Pennsylvania law, intentionally starting a fire that recklessly places another person in danger of death or injury is classified as a first-degree felony, according to Pennsylvania General Assembly, Title 18, Section 3301. The same statute also covers a lesser summary offense for intentionally or recklessly starting a fire to endanger a person or their property, whether or not damage actually results. Separately, Pennsylvania General Assembly, Title 18, Section 3302 makes recklessly creating a risk of catastrophe through the use of fire a third-degree felony.
Bail Set at $75,000
WNEP reported that Kania's bail was set at $75,000, and The Times-Tribune reported that as of Monday, she remained in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of that bail.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the fire. The case remains under investigation as it moves through the court system.
