Arson, More Charges Filed In Berwyn House Fire

BERWYN, PA — A woman has been charged in connection with the house fire in Berwyn earlier this week.

According to court records, Kathryn Calmus Frankel, 41, of Newtown Square, is charged with arson, risking catastrophe, reckless burning, and criminal mischief, all felony crimes. She has also been charged with dangerous burning, a summary crime.

According to Fox 29, Frankel, who co owns 400 Leopard Road with her former husband, was charged after a police K9 trained to hit on accelerants detected an odor of ignitable material on Frankel's clothes.

The outlet also said Frankel was the only person at the property when the fire started, marking the second time a fire broke out at the property while she was the only person there. The same property caught fire in May, according to the Berwyn Fire Company.

Frankel was freed after posting $25,000 bail Wednesday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 5, court records show.

Easttown Police said the Chester County District Attorney's Office plans to issue details on the investigation at some point Thursday.

The fire broke out at about 10:43 a.m. Tuesday to 400 Leopard Road in Berwyn.

First responders found a well-advanced fire at the house.

"Due to the known poor conditions of the inside of the structure from the previous fire, a quick decision was made to not have firefighters enter it," the fire company said.

400 Leopard Road is valued at about $1.4 million.

One person suffered minor injuries and was taken to Paoli Hospital. Fox 29 reports that person was Frankel.

No first responders were injured.

Sugartown Road is closed between Leopard and Lenape roads until further notice, Easttown Police said Thursday.

Drivers are urged not to go around barricades, as they are up to keep residents and emergency personnel safe.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office and Easttown Township Police Department are investigating the cause of the fire.

The Newtown Square Fire Company, Paoli Fire Company, Radnor Fire Company, Malvern Fire Company, Goshen Fire Company, East Whiteland Fire Company, Good Will Fire Company No. 2 of West Chester, and Good Fellowship Ambulance of West Chester all assisted at the scene.

Patch has reached out to the Chester County District Attorney's Office and will update the story when additional details are made available.