LAKE ARIEL, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Wayne County home owned by Senator Bob Casey was destroyed in a fire last night.
Boarded-up windows, caution tape, and debris are the remnants of a fire that took place at this home on east shore drive in Lake Ariel overnight Sunday.
The residence is owned by Senator Bob Casey and state police say PP&L crews were working in the area nearby for a power-related issue when they saw flames break out just before midnight.
They say the fire originated near the electrical breaker panel and spread throughout the home.
“It’s a shame. I mean it was a beautiful home and I know recently, it appears they did some work on it, and it’s a shame that something this devastating had to happen,” said Lake Ariel resident, Rob Marhevka.
Marhevka has lived in the area his entire life and says it’s a tight-knit community.
“Former Governor Casey and his wife would come over to my father’s farm and buy sweet corn and that is how we got to know the Caseys,” explained Marhevka.
Fortunately, state police say no one was home at the time of the fire.
Marhevka says seeing something like this happen makes you put things in perspective.
“Thank God there was no one in the home at the time, it’s very comforting to know. With being friends with the family, it would be devastating if someone got hurt,” said Marhevka.
The fire was ruled accidental according to state police.
Eyewitness News has reached out to Senator Bob Casey’s team for a statement and has not yet heard back.
