A Saturday morning fire that caused extensive damage to a house
at 296 Congress St., has been ruled arson by a Pennsylvania State
Police fire marshal, and has launched a criminal investigation by
Bradford City Police.

The two-story, wood-frame house, owned and previously occupied
by Stephanie Cramer, 41, and her husband, Gary Cramer, caught fire
about 7:40 a.m., officials said.

Stephanie Cramer was jailed for allegedly stealing close to a
half-million dollars from her employer between 2003-05 in a case
that is still ongoing.

According to Punxsutawney-based state police fire marshal
Charles Gross, the fire caused about $27,000 in damage.

Gross said the fire, which started in the attic, has been
classified as “incendiary” -ðdeliberately set on fire with the use
of an outside flammable material. He did not indicate exactly what
material was used as an accelerant.

The house was not occupied at the time of the fire, Gross
said.

Officials said nobody was injured.

A criminal investigation will be conducted by the Bradford City
Police Department and the state police fire marshal unit, Gross
said.

Bradford City Police Chief Roger Sager said the officers who
responded to the scene would be involved in the ongoing
investigation.

Records show city officers Linda Close, Steve Caskey and Lt.
Carl Milks all responded to the fire Saturday morning. None of the
three were immediately available for further information Monday
night.

A firefighter for the Bradford City Fire Department said Sunday
that upon arrival at the scene Saturday morning, there was heavy
smoke coming from the attic and eaves and fire coming through the
attic window and from the back room of the second floor.

Ten firefighters, Tower 1, Engine 1, MA 1, the chief’s car, MA1A
and Medic One responded to the scene and stayed until about 9:45
a.m.

An accelerant-detection K-9 also assisted at the scene,
according to fire officials.

No current address for the Cramers was available Monday.

Stephanie Cramer was jailed March 8 in lieu of $50,000 cash bail
after her third arraignment in as many months, according to court
records. She is facing felony theft charges for allegedly stealing
a total of $461,614.91 from her employer between January of 2003
and December of 2005.

A deputy at the McKean County Prison in Smethport said early
Monday evening that Cramer was no longer incarcerated there.

Cramer was released on bail following her arraignments in
January and February. A preliminary hearing on the latest charges
has been set for March 22 in front of Magisterial District Judge
Dominic Cercone.