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July 1, 2008

Amish fire ruled arson

The state police ruled a fire in a vacant Amish house in Hickory Township an arson.

Fire marshal Jan Wilson was called to investigate the blaze at 1166 Lakewood-Neshannock Falls Road.

She confirmed she has ruled it an arson, but said the case is still under investigation and could provide no additional information.

Hickory Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Houston said firefighters who were called about 11 p.m. June 23 believed “there was something suspicious” about the blaze. It destroyed the one-story house and attached workshop.

Houston said the house, at the end of a long driveway, proved a challenge to responding fire companies.

“An Amish buggy is about five feet wide. Fire trucks are eight feet wide,” he said. “But we got there.”

The chief said four small brush firetrucks were used to knock back the blaze, which burned the structure to the ground.

“It had an hour or so head start on us,” he said.

The Hickory Fire Department was assisted by volunteer departments from New Wilmington and Volant. About 25 firefighters turned out.

Houston said the building was in a remote location and no other buildings were at risk as a result of the fire.

According to records at the Lawrence County Assessment Office, the property is owned by David and Sandra Copper.

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