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Woman angry over picture of boyfriend with ex-wife admits setting home on fire

An Albrightsville woman angry over discovering a picture of her boyfriend and his ex-wife in his office has been has been charged with setting his Penn Forest Township home on fire.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Ryan Farrell of Fern Ridge state police in the case against Danielle Dolhon:

At 2:13 p.m. June 18, state police were dispatched to the 200 block of McKuen Way, Penn Forest Township, to assist the Penn Forest Township Fire Department with a fire inside the residence.

Dolhon contacted 911 after finding a fire in the second-floor hallway of the residence of the home owned by Elizabeth Ruch and Mark Ruch, who are currently separated. Mark Ruch resides at the residence with Dolhon. Dolhon, alone in the residence at the time, fled to the attic and was rescued by firefighters and taken by ambulance to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

The fire marshal determined that the area of origin was in the second-floor hallway near the top of the steps, where there was a small pile of charred debris.

The charred remains included numerous aluminum cans, clothing and garbage material, including the remains of cardboard and a pile of hair were located.

Also located among the debris was the remains of a hair iron with the power cord wrapped around the iron having sustained minor fire impact.

Additionally, the remains of a wicker basket, two watches, a lady’s ring, which were identified as belonging to Dolhon, and a copper-colored charm necklace were found within the debris.

It was determined to be arson.

Dolhon was interviewed by police and admitted to setting the fire.

Dolhon admitted she lit crinkled up paper in the pile of garbage in the second-floor hallway with a grill lighter from her bedroom. She said that she started the fire after becoming very angry after discovering a picture of her boyfriend and his ex-wife in his office.

Dolhon faces charges of arson endangering persons; causing or risking catastrophe; arson and related offenses; and criminal mischief.

She is currently free in lieu of $100,000 bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Aug. 12 before District Judge Joseph D. Homanko Sr. of Weatherly.