No arson in latest Gold Key fire

DINGMAN - A Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal has ruled that a Dec. 5 fire in Gold Key Estates was not related to a series of arsons at the lake community. The cause of Tuesday’s fire was an electrical problem in the home’s kitchen. The fire at 116 Buttercup Terrace started around 9:30 a.m. while its occupants were gone. Dingman Township Fire Department and Delaware Township Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. Although the structure survived the fire, the home sustained severe damage due to smoke contamination and water. The only casualty was the family dog, which perished in the fire. “It is sad for something like this to happen so close to the holidays.,” said an unidentified neighbor. The fire came five days after the tenth arson fire at the development since June of this year. State police report that a house under construction on Black Forest Road sustained major damage when smoke was spotted by a neighbor at 7:23 a.m. on Nov. 30. Dingman Township firefighters contained the fire in the first floor and crawl space of the structure, police said. The Pike County Builders Association has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist. State police ask that anyone with information contact them at 570-226-5718.