Overview
- The fire broke out around 8:30 a.m. on July 15 at 2 York Street in Jefferson Borough, a three-story apartment building that houses nine people.
- Investigators say Ethan Pomraning, 31, admitted using a lighter to ignite dryer lint in a shared laundry room to send a message to the property owner.
- Police report he initially claimed a 12-year-old pulled a fire alarm and denied knowing the cause before later admitting in October that he started the fire and lied about the alarm.
- Charging documents list arson, four counts of reckless endangerment, false reporting, criminal mischief/risking catastrophe, and dangerous burning.
- Authorities say four tenants were inside at the time, all nine residents were displaced with estimated damage of $300,000 to $500,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.