BLOOMSBURG, PA — A 38-year-old woman was arrested on multiple arson charges following a fire at a condemned property on West Main Street.
Samantha Jeanette Ashton, of Pennsylvania, was taken into custody on March 26, 2026, on an arrest warrant.
Officer Tori Fitzwater began investigating a structure fire at a detached garage and house located at 598 West Main Street on March 2, 2026.
The property had been condemned by Bloomsburg Codes Enforcement on June 24, 2024, and sustained extreme damage in the fire.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s office was contacted to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, the fire was deemed to be arson.
Ashton was subsequently interviewed by Officer Ryan Edgar and provided incriminating statements as to how the fire began, according to police.
Ashton was charged with arson-danger of death or bodily injury, three counts of arson endangering property, reckless burning or exploding, criminal trespass, risking catastrophe, three counts of criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person.
She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Russell L. Lawton and bail was set at $100,000.
