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Woman Accused of Torching Home

MOUNT CARMEL — Authorities in Northumberland County filed arson charges against a woman accused of setting fire to the home she lived in. Susan Stanley wa...
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MOUNT CARMEL -- Authorities in Northumberland County filed arson charges against a woman accused of setting fire to the home she lived in.

Susan Stanley was arraigned at a magistrate's office Monday morning in Shamokin.

According to court papers, Stanley tried to hire someone to set the house on fire. But when that person said no, police say she did it herself by pouring gasoline in the basement and lighting it on fire.

"Did you do it?"

"No," replied Stanley on her way to be arraigned on several charges including arson.

Despite that denial, court papers indicate that Stanley admitted setting Friday night's fire at a house on North Maple Street in Mount Carmel.

Stanley told police her landlord was evicting her after 15 years because she couldn't pay rent. Now she is charged with several counts of arson.

Eddie Agosto and his wife live next door and were home at the time of the fire.

"We smelled some smoke. There was a boom, like an explosion type of thing and when I came down the whole living room was consumed, the kitchen was consumed with smoke," Agosto recalled.

The Agostos ran outside and called 911 almost immediately.

"It could've been something that would've affected everyone, the five rows of homes that are here, and displaced a lot of people."

Police say Stanley told them she planned to hire someone to set her house on fire but when that person didn't come through, she did it herself.

"Very shocking," said neighbor Steve Barr. "I didn't think she would do anything like that and she did."

Barr was not home at the time but says his house and several others have smoke damage.

"I thought my house was on fire, but it wasn't. I seen her house."

The Agostos say their damage is so bad they have to move and are staying with family until they find a new place.

"She was trying to hurt her landlord but who she really hurt was me," Agosto said.

Susan Stanley was not able to post bail and is locked up on a long list of charges including arson. She is scheduled to appear in court next month.

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