Fire that destroyed 10 cottages ‘absolutely suspicious’

Evidence is still being analyzed from the blaze that consumed 10 cottages at the historic Chester Heights Camp Meeting Saturday, Trooper Timothy Greene, of the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal's unit, said Monday.

But Pat Smith, president of the 30-acre site in Delaware County, said she has a hunch what caused the fire.

"Absolutely suspicious ... but not necessarily intentional," she said, noting that an October fire, which leveled three cottages at the site, apparently was caused by three people gathered in the woods and acting carelessly with a lighter.

Carelessness, she speculated, could turn out to be the cause of this fire too.

The site is enclosed by a fence. To get inside people have to trespass, said Smith.

"I believe it's stupidity, partying," she said. "Time will tell. But I personally don't think someone came out there to burn the place. ... We will be saddened if it turns out to be deliberate."

Founded in 1872 by lay members of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a spiritual retreat, the camp, which began with 65 cottages (now reduced to 52), is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It continues to be used as a non-denominational Christian resort that sponsors free summer concerts of gospel and bluegrass music for "fun and fellowship," said Smith.

Because the site is an active crime scene, she said, insurance adjusters have not been able to make an estimate of the damage. The 10 buildings - burned to the ground - are a total loss. "It just looks like a bomb field," said Smith.

The part of the woods used for the summer concerts series was not damaged.

"Our summer program is in place," she said. "It's untouched. To me it's like God said, 'This far, and no further.'"