Honesdale fire investigated as suspected arson

By OWEN WALSH
Posted 7/17/19

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale residents walking down Main Street could see smoke rising from just beyond the railroad tracks at around 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 11. The Wayne County Communications …

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Honesdale fire investigated as suspected arson

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HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale residents walking down Main Street could see smoke rising from just beyond the railroad tracks at around 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 11. The Wayne County Communications Center dispatched the Honesdale Fire Department (HFD) to the source: an old, vacant building on Commercial Street where flames broke through the roof shortly after HFD’s arrival.

According to an HFD press release, firefighters quickly extinguished the main body of the fire and had the situation under control by 10:57 p.m. The scene was cleared just before 1 a.m.
From downtown, people lined the sidewalks of Main Street and streamed live footage of the spectacle. Longtime residents were quick to recognize and lament that the structure in flames was a historic coal pocket building—a small relic from Honesdale’s days as an anthracite coal hub.
The PA State Fire Marshal arrived the following Friday to investigate the cause of the fire, which is suspected arson.

A demolition team has since been called in to tear down what was left of the building following the fire. One piece of it will be preserved at the nearby Wayne County Historical Society.
The Honesdale Borough Police Department (HBPD) is looking for persons of interest regarding the suspected arson. Anyone with information is asked to call 570/253-1900

Honesdale, coal pocket fire, Main Street, Honesdale Fire Department, Honesdale Borough Police Department, suspected arson

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