Pocono News Section

Deadly Wayne County Fire Becomes Murder Case

Deadly Wayne County Fire Becomes Murder Case - Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 04:10AM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Sunday May 02 2010
TEXAS TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY -- A fatal Wayne County fire was no accident. State police say it's a case of arson murder, and the victim's housemate is locked up and charged with the deadly crime.

Eyewitness News stopped by the fire scene in Texas Township one day after firefighters found the body of 40-year-old Tim Wood in a second floor bedroom at his Canal Street home.

Wood's girlfriend, 45-year-old Susan Bates, suffered burns and smoke inhalation. Investigators say she set the fire upstairs before escaping the flames.

People who know the couple are in disbelief including a man who was friends with Wood since high school.

Glen Bothun of Honesdale said, "Well if I wanted help like doing something around the house or school, he'd drop everything for you. I mean he'd literally just drop everything for you."

Niki Trento added, "She'd be the one to try and make you laugh or just sit there and hug you and cry with you. You know, she's just a sweet person."

Susan Bates is locked up without bail in Wayne Countys prison.