Another arson declared in Coatesville area

EAST FALLOWFIELD, PA. - February 7, 2009 - The 23rd arson fire this year in the Coatesville area claimed the trailer home of Charles and Desiree Miles on Buck Run Road in East Fallowfield Township. Mrs. Miles, who suffers from diabetes, was at home alone about 11:40 p.m. last night when the fire broke and managed to get out, but they lost everything.

This is the second time this close knit family has been hit by an arsonist.

Another family member lost her home on Walnut Street in Coatesville to an arson fire last month.

A cousin of the victims, Vickie Jennings, says who ever is doing this has got to be sick, sad, and insane.

"Nothing but the devil, that's all it is, I mean somebody's got to be really sick to go around and do things like that, it's sad," Jenning said.

As in so many of the other fires, the arsonists started a fire under a back porch engulfing the entire trailer in flames.

Fortunately, Mrs. Miles was able to get out of harm's way despite her medical condition.

"The fire shares some similar traits to the other arsons we've been investigating in the area; at this point it's too early to say that they are directly linked,": John Hagerman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said.

Meanwhile the anger and frustration among the people of the Coatesville area who have been living in fear is reaching a fever pitch.

"What's the problem? Why are they burning down Coatesville? I can't understand it, but I got something for them, that's all I could say," Russella Miles, the victim's sister, said.

Meanwhile, fundraising efforts for the fire victims continues in earnest. Wawa stores in the area are collecting contributions and the Girls Scouts in the Coatesville area were giving all their profits from cookie sales today to the fire victims' fund:

"Penguin Industries will match any money collected specifically for the Fire Victim Fund through Citadel Bank up to $10,000," Michelle Kregar of the Girl Scouts of Greater Coatesville said.

Finally authorities add that there is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

If you have information, you're being asked to call the 24 hour arson task force hotline at 484-356-6109.

CLICK HERE to follow Action News on Twitter

CLICK HERE to get Action News on your website

CLICK HERE to find Action News on Facebook

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.