By Karen Blackledge
The Danville News
MAUSDALE — A state police fire marshal determined today that someone intentionally set the fire that forced a woman flee from her burning home late Wednesday evening.
In an update this morning, State Police Tpr. Norman Fedder reported further examination determined the fire at the home of Julie Ann Dent originated on top of the landing of the stairs. Other evidence found at the scene leads to show this fire was intentionally set, he said.
Fedder initially said the cause was accidental.
The 11:30 p.m. blaze was centered near the base of the landing of the stairs of the older home at 25 Old Valley School Road in Valley Township.
Dent, 44, was able to escape from a second-story bedroom by going out onto a gutter, to a small porch and then to the ground.
Contacted Thursday, Dent did not want to be interviewed.
Fedder asks that anyone with information about the fire to call state police at 524-0503 or 524-2662.
He estimated the damage at under $100,000.
The property, owned by the trust fund of Justin Jeffrey Dent and Janae Caroline Dent, of 127 Hess Hill Road, is insured.
