Two Pennsylvania women were charged this week with starting a 2014 house fire in Kane.
Karen Louise Hatten, 62, of 734 Alexander St., Apt. 219, Brockway, and Holly Lynn Gausman, 43, of 1387 Chestnut Grove Highway, Grampian, were arraigned Tuesday before District Judge David Engman, court records indicate.
Gausman was the owner of the home, officials said.
According to court records, on Nov. 7, 2014, Kane Borough Fire Department responded to a fire at 432 Tionesta Ave., a two-story, single-family home.
An article from the time of the fire indicated that Gausman was living there with her four children at the time of the fire. The report stated that no one, including the family pet, was home at the time of the blaze.
There were no injuries reported; however, the attic sustained extensive charring and smoke damage and the whole house sustained water damage, firefighters reported at the time of the fire.
At that time, investigators determined the fire started in a second floor bathroom, but they were unable to determine the cause, court records stated.
Court records indicated the house was insured by Erie Insurance Exchange, which paid a claim to Gausman for the loss.
On June 16, 2017, Gausman’s son brought a recording of Gausman allegedly admitting to starting the fire to the Clearfield State Police Barracks, according to court records.
Police interviewed Hatten — Gausman’s mother — who admitted she and Gausman intentionally set the fire by leaving a candle burning in a second floor bathroom that morning; the pair then left for a veterinarian appointment, court records stated.
Both are charged with arson-danger of death or bodily injury and two counts of conspiracy to commit arson-danger of death or bodily injury, all first-degree felonies; and two counts of conspiracy to commit arson-intent to collect insurance, both second-degree felonies, court records stated.
Gausman is additionally charged with arson-intent to collect insurance and theft by deception, both second-degree felonies; and insurance fraud, a third-degree felony, according to records.
Both were released, Gausman on $350,000 unsecured bail and Hatten on $25,000 unsecured bail. They are scheduled to appear in Central Court on Sept. 21.
