POCONO PINES, Pa. (WPVI) — Pocono Mountain Regional Police are searching for a man accused of setting multiple fires inside his townhome in an effort to kill spiders, sparking a blaze that spread to several neighboring units.
Officers responded around 6 p.m. Monday to a fire on the 600 block of Uncus Lane. The flames damaged the suspect’s home and three connected townhomes, police said.
According to investigators, a witness reported seeing the resident, identified as Sean McDermott, repeatedly lighting small fires inside his home throughout the day.
McDermott allegedly told the witness he was trying to kill spiders.
Police say McDermott had a smoldering fire burning on the floor and then placed a loveseat on top of it. The witness told officers he attempted several times to extinguish the fires, but McDermott continued to relight them.
Both men reportedly left the area, and when they returned, the townhome was fully engulfed.
McDermott fled the scene in a U-Haul truck and is now wanted on charges including arson, aggravated arson and other related offenses, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pocono Mountain Regional Police.
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