Man accused of starting deadly house fire after being 'rejected' by female, Pennsylvania police say
Investigators say witnesses linked Robert Zimmerman to the blaze, and police expect arson, death and injury charges after one woman died and two others were hurt.
- On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, an arson fire at the 200 block of Bratton Avenue in Lewistown killed Brandy Phillippe, 44, and injured two others; authorities detained Robert Zimmerman, 40, as a person of interest.
- Investigators allege Zimmerman set the blaze after being rejected by a woman living in the attic, with witnesses reporting he was "professing his love for a female who was living in the attic of the residence" before starting the fire.
- Surveillance images and multiple witness accounts corroborate claims that Zimmerman started the fire, and police said he made "several incriminating statements" during questioning.
- Phillippe's death is being investigated as a homicide by the Mifflin County Coroner's Office, with charges against Zimmerman expected to be filed on Friday.
- The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal officially ruled the incident an act of arson, as investigators continue processing evidence and statements from the investigation.
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Man accused of starting deadly house fire after being 'rejected' by female, Pennsylvania police say
Investigators allege Robert Zimmerman set the Pennsylvania home on fire after "professing his love" to a female living there and becoming upset when she rejected him.
Man Accused of Burning Down Home and Killing Woman After She Turned Him Down
A Pennsylvania man is sitting behind bars after police say he deliberately set a house on fire when a woman rejected his romantic advances — triggering a horrifying blaze that killed one resident and left others desperately jumping from second-story windows to survive. Authorities say 40-year-old Robert Zimmerman was arrested this week in connection to...
Man accused of starting deadly house fire after being 'rejected' by female, police say
Police say a man is facing arson charges after a house fire in Mifflin County killed one person and seriously injured two others. Investigators allege Robert Zimmerman set the home on fire after "professing his love" to a female living there and becoming upset when she rejected him.
Woman killed, 2 injured in Mifflin County fire investigated as arson: police
A residential fire in Mifflin County left one woman dead and two others seriously injured and is now being investigated as arson, police said. The blaze broke out around 11:50 p.m. at a sublet home in the 200 block of Bratton Avenue. Lewistown police said a 44-year-old woman was found dead inside and two others were hospitalized — a man who jumped from a second floor and a woman who fell after being overcome by smoke.
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