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State police are investigating a car fire that broke out about 4:15 a.m. Tuesday in the 1300 block of Warren Avenue in Loyalsock Township.
While police and fire officials have not identified the owner of the vehicle, sports journalist Todd Bartley, of Fox Sports Williamsport has taken to social media, claiming it was his vehicle and the fire was a criminal act.
Township Assistant Fire Chief Richard Caschera said, "There was heavy fire at the rear of the vehicle. The trunk area was on fire."
Township and city firefighters, along with other fire companies, were dispatched to the residence on Warren Avenue to investigate a report of "a vehicle next to a structure," he said.
At no time did the fire threaten the home, which was about 10 to 12 feet away, Caschera said.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze in a matter of minutes. Fire damage to the car, parked in the owner's driveway, was extensive.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Appearing Thursday on a local podcast, Bartley claimed he was in his home sleeping when he heard what he described as a "boom." When he looked out the window he saw his car on fire.
"This was a bombing attempt," he said on the podcast.
Bartley speculated during the podcast that there may be a link between an ongoing series of articles in which he alleges wrongdoing on the part of Williamsport Area School District administrators and the car fire.
Bartley refused comment to the Sun-Gazette.
Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner said the cause of the fire remained under investigation and that "the state police continue to investigate whether a crime has been committed."
He said the District Attorney's Office is not involved at this point. If it is determined that a crime was committed, then his office will work with the state police on the matter.