A serious fire occurred in the Pocono Pines area of Pennsylvania, leaving a row of townhouses completely destroyed. Initial reports indicate the cause originated from a man's bizarre actions of intentionally setting fires inside his home for the sole purpose of "killing spiders."
According to reports from authorities, police received a call about the fire around 6:00 PM on Monday. The blaze started in one townhouse and quickly spread, causing heavy damage to three adjacent units. By the time firefighters reached the scene, several homes were engulfed in a fierce sea of flames.
The Suspect's Unusual Arson Behavior
Witnesses at the scene identified the suspect as Sean McDermott. He was reportedly lighting several small fires inside the house throughout the day, claiming to those around him that he was trying to exterminate spiders. The situation escalated when McDermott placed a small sofa on top of a fire smoldering on the floor.
A witness stated they had tried to extinguish the fires started by McDermott several times, but the suspect continued to relight them immediately after. After briefly leaving the area, the witness returned to find the house completely overtaken by fire. At that moment, McDermott quickly fled the scene in a rented U-Haul truck.
Arrest Warrant and Investigation
As of late February, Sean McDermott remains at large, and a regional arrest warrant has been issued. The suspect currently faces several serious criminal charges, including arson, aggravated arson, and charges related to property damage.
While there have been no specific reports of casualties among local residents, the material damage is considered particularly significant. Currently, authorities are continuing their investigation to clarify the full sequence of events and are searching for the suspect's whereabouts to bring him to justice.
