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A deadly house fire in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, is being investigated as a suspected arson. The blaze, which occurred overnight on Thursday (May 7), claimed one life and injured several others on the 200 block of Bratton Avenue. According to Lewistown police, 40-year-old Robert Zimmerman is a person of interest in the case.
Police detained Zimmerman on an unrelated warrant and noted that he smelled of ash and smoke. Witnesses reported seeing him in a nearby alley watching the house burn, and surveillance footage corroborated these accounts. Zimmerman allegedly made multiple incriminating statements during police questioning and exhibited an emotional response upon learning of the fatality.
Authorities believe Zimmerman set the fire after being rejected by a woman living in the house. He reportedly started several fires on the first floor after the rejection. Police expect to file arson charges against Zimmerman on Friday (May 8).
For more details, visit Local 21 News.