Princeton Packet
9 December, 1988

Suspect sought in arson case

A suspect wanted on arson charges in connection with two small fires at The Corner House Counseling Center was still at-large Thursday afternoon, Princeton Township police said.

The fires — which have been labeled suspicious by the township fire inspector — were set in two locations at the Witherspoon Street venter at about 5:31 p.m. Dec. 2.

No one was injured and the damage was contained to a couple of chairs and a paper towel dispenser, in addition to minor smoke damage.

Lt. Mario Musso reported Thursday that police are having difficulties finding the suspect. He anticipates an arrest at some point in the future, but did not estimate when it would occur.

One of the fires was set to two chairs located in a hallway leading to a couple of session rooms at Corner House, Lt. Musso said. That flame destroyed seat cushions and armrests, but was extinguished by town-ship engineer Robert Kiser before it spread.

The second fire was located minutes later in a guest floor ladies room by members of the Princeton Fire Department who were scouting the building. Some paper towels in a trash can had been lit. and the flames spread to a -paper towel dispenser nearby, Lt. Musso said.

Police refused to provide details on the suspect or possible motives.

Corner House is located in the northwest section of the Valley Road Administrative Building at the corner of Witherspoon Street and Valley Road.