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Seven Fields house fire ruled arson

SEVEN FIELDS — The fire that gutted a two-story house on Dorchester Drive early Saturday morning was intentionally set, according to police.

Firefighters were called to 509 Dorchester Drive about 2:17 a.m. Saturday, where they found one of the home's owners, Katherine Barnes, in the garage, said Cranberry Township Police Sgt. Dave Kovach this morning. Mark Barnes is listed as the other owner of the house.

Kovach said Katherine Barnes, 52, currently has an Indianapolis, Ind., address.

He also said she was found next to a black Honda sport utility vehicle that has an Indiana license plate.

Janice Wilson, New Castle state police fire marshal, ruled the fire an arson after police found two gasoline cans — one on the first floor and another on the second floor.

"It started on every floor," she said this morning.

Kovach said police, when responding to the fire, found a screen missing from a first-floor back window and a broken window.

Along with the gas cans, Kovach said investigators found an accelerant on both floors.

Kovach said Katherine Barnes was taken to West Penn Hospital's burn unit, but officials this morning would not release her condition.

According to property listing information, the house has been on the market for nearly a year, although it was recently under contract.

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