A Pottstown woman was arrested after police say she set fire to her own home following an argument with her partner about their adopted children.
Investigators say the ordeal began Sunday night at a home on the 900 block of Spruce Street in Pottstown. The homeowner, Cora Lee Sharp, 48, got into an argument with her partner regarding their differing views on parenting, according to police.
Credit: Pottstown Police Department
Investigators say Sharp’s partner took their two adopted children to her mother’s home and the argument began once she returned. Pottstown Police responded to the home around 8:30 p.m. after a domestic dispute report, according to a criminal complaint.
After police spoke with Sharp, investigators say the Pottstown Fire Department were dispatched to the home shortly after 9 p.m. When they arrived, officials say they found several fires burning at the home. One of the officers who originally responded to the domestic dispute told the Pottstown Mercury he saw Sharp walking on Spruce Street when the fire report came in. Firefighters were able to put out the flames shortly after.
Investigators say Sharp admitted to using a lighter to start a fire inside her kitchen. While no one was injured, the fire caused between $60,000 and $70,000 in smoke and heat damage to the home. Sharp was arrested and charged with arson. Police also say she underwent a breathalyzer test which revealed her blood-alcohol level was at .20 percent.
Sharp was arraigned on Monday and is scheduled for a hearing in September.
