Sept. 23--A Beaverdale woman will appear in Cambria County court on charges of trying to burn down the house next door three times because she was "sick of looking at it," authorities said.
Rose M. Meier, 63, of the 400 block of Cameron Avenue, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday before District Judge Rick Varner of Salix.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Summerhill Township police, Meier set fire to the back porch on July 13.
Several volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze, which a state police fire marshal said was intentionally set.
Police said they found a smoldering rag on the back porch of the residence on July 18. Police collected the rag as evidence after the fire was extinguished.
A camera then was attached to a tree to photograph the alleged arsonist. The camera snapped a picture of Meier near the home when fire broke out on the back porch on Aug. 1, the complaint says.
Police said in the complaint that Meier admitted setting the three fires "because she was tired of looking at the residence because of rodents and high grass and weeds on the lot."
Meier was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center for an evaluation.
She was charged with three counts each of arson, causing a catastrophe and criminal mischief, and one count of criminal mischief by fire.
Meier remains free on $50,000 unsecured bond.
Patrick Buchnowski is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5061. Follow him on Twitter @PatBuchnowskiTD.
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