Topline: The man’s sons tried to stop him from lighting the fire by struggling with him over a lighter, but they were unsuccessful.
Published: January 21, 2025 9:30 am ET
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LACASTER, PA — A housefire in Pennsylvania early Sunday morning left five people injured after a man, angry about his impending separation from his wife, intentionally set fire to the family home.
According to reports from WPMT, 46-year-old Simon Hen returned home and began dousing himself and the upstairs of the house with gasoline around 2:30 a.m. on January 19, in Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania.
Police said Hen’s shouts woke his two sons, aged 21 and 23. The sons tried to stop their father from lighting the fire by struggling with him over a lighter, but they were unsuccessful. Hen managed to ignite the gasoline, starting the fire.
Lancaster Township Police Corporal Robert Burns stated that Hen’s actions appeared to be an attempt to kill his family.
“In an attempt to get the lighter from their father, they engaged in a struggle,” Burns told WGAL. “Unfortunately, they were unable to stop him, and he ignited the gasoline, causing the fire.”
The fire was mostly contained to an upstairs room and hallway.
Hen died in the blaze.
His two sons, along with a 19-year-old woman who was at the house, sustained severe burns. Hen’s 17-year-old daughter and his wife, aged 42, suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation.
The sons and the 19-year-old woman drove themselves to Lancaster General Hospital before being transferred to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center, where they are in critical condition but expected to survive. Meanwhile, the daughter and wife were taken by ambulance to Lancaster General for treatment, according to WPMT.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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PA Man Dies in Housefire Set in Anger Over Separation; Five Injured
The man’s sons tried to stop him from lighting the fire by struggling with him over a lighter, but they were unsuccessful.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 21, 2025 9:30 am ET
LACASTER, PA — A housefire in Pennsylvania early Sunday morning left five people injured after a man, angry about his impending separation from his wife, intentionally set fire to the family home.
According to reports from WPMT, 46-year-old Simon Hen returned home and began dousing himself and the upstairs of the house with gasoline around 2:30 a.m. on January 19, in Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania.
Police said Hen’s shouts woke his two sons, aged 21 and 23. The sons tried to stop their father from lighting the fire by struggling with him over a lighter, but they were unsuccessful. Hen managed to ignite the gasoline, starting the fire.
Lancaster Township Police Corporal Robert Burns stated that Hen’s actions appeared to be an attempt to kill his family.
“In an attempt to get the lighter from their father, they engaged in a struggle,” Burns told WGAL. “Unfortunately, they were unable to stop him, and he ignited the gasoline, causing the fire.”
The fire was mostly contained to an upstairs room and hallway.
Hen died in the blaze.
His two sons, along with a 19-year-old woman who was at the house, sustained severe burns. Hen’s 17-year-old daughter and his wife, aged 42, suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation.
The sons and the 19-year-old woman drove themselves to Lancaster General Hospital before being transferred to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center, where they are in critical condition but expected to survive. Meanwhile, the daughter and wife were taken by ambulance to Lancaster General for treatment, according to WPMT.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
PA Man Dies in Housefire Set in Anger Over Separation; Five Injured
The man’s sons tried to stop him from lighting the fire by struggling with him over a lighter, but they were unsuccessful.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 21, 2025 9:30 am ET
LACASTER, PA — A housefire in Pennsylvania early Sunday morning left five people injured after a man, angry about his impending separation from his wife, intentionally set fire to the family home.
According to reports from WPMT, 46-year-old Simon Hen returned home and began dousing himself and the upstairs of the house with gasoline around 2:30 a.m. on January 19, in Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania.
Police said Hen’s shouts woke his two sons, aged 21 and 23. The sons tried to stop their father from lighting the fire by struggling with him over a lighter, but they were unsuccessful. Hen managed to ignite the gasoline, starting the fire.
Lancaster Township Police Corporal Robert Burns stated that Hen’s actions appeared to be an attempt to kill his family.
“In an attempt to get the lighter from their father, they engaged in a struggle,” Burns told WGAL. “Unfortunately, they were unable to stop him, and he ignited the gasoline, causing the fire.”
The fire was mostly contained to an upstairs room and hallway.
Hen died in the blaze.
His two sons, along with a 19-year-old woman who was at the house, sustained severe burns. Hen’s 17-year-old daughter and his wife, aged 42, suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation.
The sons and the 19-year-old woman drove themselves to Lancaster General Hospital before being transferred to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center, where they are in critical condition but expected to survive. Meanwhile, the daughter and wife were taken by ambulance to Lancaster General for treatment, according to WPMT.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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