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Man in Wayne County Charged With Arson

HAWLEY — A man is locked up on charges of arson in Wayne County. State police arrested Francis Grzegorzewski, 31, Tuesday for allegedly torching a house i...

HAWLEY -- A man is locked up on charges of arson in Wayne County.

State police arrested Francis Grzegorzewski, 31, Tuesday for allegedly torching a house in Hawley nearly two weeks ago.

One day after a fire tore through a house on 202-204 Chestnut Avenue in Hawley, crews were on site tearing it down.

State police say the fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. on March 20 and they quickly ruled it arson.

Now troopers have arrested Francis Grzegorzewski and charged him with causing the fire.

Neighbors say they have been concerned for their safety since the fire and are glad someone has been caught.

“I`m glad that they were arrested, that`s horrible, you know, it`s scary because we`ve been here eight months and it`s like 'oh, my goodness, it`s like right next to us,'” said Kathleen Kimble.

“It was labeled as suspicious so my concern was who is it that`s going around, my first thought was maybe it was a previous tenant,” said Chris Bednauk.

According to the arrest report, police say Grzegorzewksi was renting an apartment at the house.

The landlord told troopers Grzegorzewksi had moved out and owed him rent and utilities.

Police say Grzegorzewski and his girlfriend came to the house while the fire was going on.

“The state police fire marshal was able to start questioning them there and who else may have been involved and I guess on their further investigation they found out the guy that did it,” said Hawley Fire Chief Scott Mead.

State police say Grzegorzewski eventually admitted to setting the fire.

He told police he set a bag of trash on fire while at the house that morning, saying “I left the house unaware it set the whole house on fire. I take fully responsibility for the accident and feel bad for it”.

“It’s a relief to know who did it and why they did it and especially admit that they did do it,” said Chief Mead.

State police say Grzegorzewski is locked up at the Wayne County prison on $200,000 bail.

 

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