Weekend’s Sycamore dryer fire ruled arson

December 4, 2012

John Joseph of the Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company is pictured dousing the inside of the dryer with water from a water can fire extinguisher. (Photo by Larry McGuire of The Punxsutawney Spirit)

PUNXSUTAWNEY — A 17-year-old juvenile male from Punxsutawney was arrested by Punxsutawney Borough Police on arson charges regarding the dryer fire that occurred at 2:23 p.m. Dec. 1 at Sycamore Apartments at 505 Sycamore St.

The fire was extinguished by a maintenance worker and the dryer was removed from the building before firefighters arrived on scene.

Tom Fedigan, Punxsy Borough Police chief, said the investigation is ongoing and the case will be forwarded to the Jefferson County Juvenile Court.

The only damage was to the dryer. The fire allegedly began inside the dryer via the lint screen.