by justin strawser
SUNBURY - Two Sunbury fires, which took place a block away from each other and 90 minutes apart Wednesday and Thursday, have both been ruled arson, but officials aren't saying whether the incidents are connected.
"We're not sure yet. We're still investigating," said Sunbury Fire Chief Dean Weirick.
Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo had similar comments.
"The incidents are under investigation, and we're cooperating fully with the state police fire marshal (Trooper Norman Fedder of the Milton Police barracks)," he said.
Fedder reported the first fire happened at 11:58 p.m. Wednesday in a garage at 440 N. Fifth St., owned by Samuel Frank Pfleegor, 32.
Weirick said the fire started at an outside corner, traveled up the wall and on the roof. Although it didn't take long to control the burn, the fire crews had another call 90 minutes later.
"The apparatus had already returned. The chief and staff were ready to leave. We got in our vehicles and they (Northumberland County Communication) were hollering for a structure fire," he said.
The second fire took place at 523 N. Fifth Street, which is owned by George Kitchens, of Bloomsburg.
The resident, who was home at the time, is Daniel Wayne Kulp, 54.
Weirick said Kulp awoke to the smell of smoke, but didn't notice any fire until he went outside and saw the corner of the house on fire.
Kulp ran to the Goodwill Fire Company, located on Reagan Street, and they called the fire in, said Weirick.
It took fire personnel 20 minutes to control the second burn, he said.
After examining the first scene, Fedder reported someone ignited construction debris along the side of the garage, which spread to the structure. Similarly, at the second scene, he reported that someone ignited the exterior of the dwelling after failing to observe any accidental ignition sources in the area.
The garage fire caused an estimated $15,000 in damage. The residential fire caused an estimated $500 in damage. Both owners have insurance coverage.
According to Google Maps, the two properties are 413 feet from each other. It would take 23 seconds to drive from one to the other.
The last arson fire in city took place on Nov. 9, which happened to be on Fifth Street as well, 233 feet away from the residential fire at 523 N. Fifth Street.
The November fire occurred at 12:33 a.m. and destroyed a garage located at 603 N. Fifth St., owned by Edward James Rodermel, 43. After conducting the investigation, police reported that a passing person used an open flame to ignite a decorative hay bale, and the fire spread to the garage nearby.
Several hours before this, at 9:56 p.m. Nov. 8, another fire that destroyed a garage at 243 Furman Road, Shamokin Township, was ruled arson. The property, on a hill behind the Northumberland Memorial Park cemetery along Route 61 in Stonington, is owned by James Earl Houck, 65.
"I thought it was over, but apparently it's not," said Weirick. "I don't know if it's the same person."
Fedder was unable to be reached for comment Thursday.