Published on Dec. 12 | Updated on Dec. 16
MALVERN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A resident at a Chester County rehab center is accused of setting a fire inside the facility last week.
Margaret Curran, a 40-year-old resident at Green Meadows Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Malvern, is charged with causing a catastrophe and arson.
According to investigators, Curran told authorities that she lit her roommate's blanket on fire with a lighter the morning of Dec. 12. She said she did it to "bring attention to a problem."
"Units arrived on scene and found a fire in a one-bedroom on the third floor," said Paoli Fire Chief Jay Wustner. "The fire was quickly extinguished, and we are now in the process of managing a series of residents' relocations."
Because of the cold weather, crews called in a medical bus to use as a temporary shelter, but it was not needed. Residents were able to stay safe and warm in an unaffected portion of the building.
Officials said the fire and sprinkler system damaged a section of the building, but the facility remained open and operational.
Firefighters had to evacuate some residents, many of whom are bedridden. They were evaluated at the hospital.
More than a dozen residents were displaced.
Curran is being held in Chester County Prison and hasn't been able to post bail.
