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Two Montoursville men were left homeless early Thursday morning when a fire -- ruled arson by a state police fire marshal -- extensively damaged their living room, according to investigators.
While the homeowner was not home, a tenant, who rents a bedroom, was asleep inside the house when the fire broke out at 1019 Spruce St. about 12:40 a.m. He told investigators he was awakened by Alisha Marie Hart, who yelled "Go," before she fled the house. The tenant also safely escaped the fire with two dogs.
When Montoursville firefighters arrived on the scene, they quickly rescued two cats while searching the house for other possible occupants, borough Deputy Fire Chief Tyler Schramm said.
Using just 200 to 300 gallons of water, firefighters had the fire out in under 10 minutes, he said.
While the fire damage was contained to the living room, there was water and smoke damage throughout the house, he added.
The two displaced men were receiving emergency assistance from the American Red Cross. Besides Montoursville, firefighters from Loyalsock Township and Williamsport responded to the fire while Eldred Township volunteer firefighters stood by at the borough's firehouse on Broad Street, ready to handle any other emergency calls in the area.
Cpl. Nathan Birth, a state police fire marshal, ruled the fire intentionally set and charged Hart, 37, of 1305 Dewey Ave., with arson-related felony charges. She was in custody Thursday night and awaiting arraignment. She is an acquaintance of the homeowner, Birth said, adding the two "got into an argument earlier in the evening."