Pocono News Section

Neighbors React to Arson at State Representative's Office

Neighbors React to Arson at State Representative's Office - Monday, March 24, 2008 at 5:23PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Mar 24, 2008 @05:23pm EST
Mount Carmel, Northumberland County-

A weekend fire at a state representative’s office in Northumberland County is being called arson. Investigators say someone set the fire on purpose at Representative Robert Belfanti’s office in Mount Carmel. On Monday, the fire was the talk of the town.

A state police fire marshal says the weekend blaze caused about $150,000 in damage to Representative Belfanti’s office. Government computers and other equipment, as well as many of Belfanti's personal mementos, were lost in the fire.

Neighbors say the office on West Avenue was a vital information hub in the community. Gail Mazur said, "The cars, there were always at least a half dozen or so out there, and it just seemed like an office that was getting things done."

Investigators say four small, individual fires were set throughout different locations in the office, leading them to believe it was an intentional act. "I can't imagine anyone going after a State Representative's office like this, I really can't," Mazur added.

Timothy Rosancrans moved into the upstairs apartment in the building back in October. He says he was on his computer in his bedroom when he heard some knocking sounds downstairs. "I ran outside my bedroom, I went to my dad and got him awake to see if he know what was going on...I went to the stairwell to check it out and then I saw the smoke coming up. I gathered some stuff that I could and then came out," Rosancrans explained.

He and his father are staying with family in Sunbury until the building's owner, John Quinn of Kulpmont, decides if he will repair the charred building. We're told Representative Belfanti spent part of his day searching for office space to rent temporarily.

If you have information relating to this fire that could help investigators, call the Mount Carmel Police Department.