Overview
- The Lewistown house fire, which broke out late Wednesday, killed 44-year-old Brandy Phillippe and left two other residents with severe injuries.
- The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal ruled the blaze arson, and the county coroner is treating Phillippe’s death as a homicide after a Saturday autopsy.
- Police say witnesses saw Zimmerman at the home, described him professing love to a woman who rejected him, and reported he began setting items on the first floor on fire.
- Witnesses reported hearing a confession to starting the blaze, and surveillance images appeared to show him watching the house burn from a nearby alley.
- Officers later found Zimmerman smelling of ash and smoke, he received treatment after saying he ingested fentanyl, and he is now held on charges including arson as the investigation continues.