Another Coatesville area arson

A fire late Friday night that has been ruled an arson destroyed a mobile home in East Fallowfield Township, about six miles from Coatesville, officials said.

John Hageman, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the blaze began in the rear of the dwelling in the two hundred block of Buck Run Road. He said this fire shares "common traits" with the others that have plagued the Coatesville area this year;. However, he said investigators are not linking it to the 18 arsons in Coatesville or the other four in nearby communities.

This fire occurred in a rural area and was reported at 11:40 p.m., said Hageman. The occupants, a husband and wife, got out safely with no injuries, but the trailer, which appears to be flanked by abandoned homes, was completely destroyed, Hageman said. The Red Cross is providing the couple with emergency aid, Hageman said..

A reward of $20,000 is available for anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction; the tip line for the Coatesville Arson Task Force, a consortium of federal, state, county and local law-enforcement, is 484-356-6109.

Last night, when this fire occurred, was the start of a stricter curfew for juveniles in Coatesville. Until the state of emergency is lifted, anyone under 18 must be off the streets by 8 p.m. The previous restriction was 10 p.m.

Kathleen Brady Shea