Fires continue to hit Coatesville

Suspicious fires continue to plague Coatesville, though three suspected arsonists - one of whom also faces homicide charges - were taken into custody last month, police said.

Yesterday, state police reported four "incendiary" fires, one in Valley Township and three in Coatesville, that were set during a seven-hour period that began at 9:35 p.m. New Year's Day. No injuries were reported. However, the fires, which started outside homes, occurred while residents were inside, police said.

Coatesville spokeswoman Kristin Geiger said, "Police and fire officials are working diligently" to apprehend whoever was responsible, especially because the fires' "random locations" have made residents fearful.

"They caught the other suspects rather quickly," she said. "I'm hopeful that will be the case again."

On Dec. 9, police arrested George Donkewicz, 22, who is accused of setting a house fire Dec. 7 that killed Irene Kempest, 83, a widow who had survived imprisonment in a German work camp during World War II. Donkewicz was cooperating with officials in solving other suspected arsons, police said.

On Dec. 15, police charged Leroy Robert McWilliams, 23, with setting a trash fire that spread to two homes on Franklin Street, forcing the evacuation of the occupants, including a 4-year-old, and causing more than $110,000 in damage.

The same day, police responded to a garage fire in the 500 block of Willow Alley. The fire was reported by a 17-year-old male, who was not identified because of his age and who later admitted setting the fire, police said.

The most recent fires occurred outside residences in the 1000 block of Charles Street in Valley Township, and the 200 block of Madison Street, the 100 block of North Fifth Avenue, and the 200 block of West Diamond Street, all in Coatesville, police said. The four fires are believed to be connected, police said.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact state police at 484-340-3643.