Press Release  Resident Charged in Chicopee House Fire

CHICOPEE — A Chicopee woman was charged with burning a dwelling in connection with a residential fire on Edgewood Avenue this weekend, said Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major, Chicopee Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

The fire at 143 Edgewood Ave. was reported shortly after 10:00 on Sunday morning and quickly went to two alarms before being extinguished by the Chicopee Fire Department. No injuries were reported but three occupants have been displaced.

Based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, and other evidence, investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set and identified LORIE ANN KOWAL, 60, as the suspect. She was taken into custody and held pending arraignment.

The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the Chicopee Fire Department, Chicopee Police Department, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office with the assistance of the Hampden County District Attorney’s office and State Police Crime Scene Services Section.

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