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Arson-Suicide: PA Dad Dies Attempting To Kill Family Coroner Releases Details (Update)

A Lancaster Township man poured gasoline throughout his home and set it ablaze during a domestic dispute early Sunday, Jan. 19, killing himself and critically injuring three others, including his sons and a family guest, police announced.

Simon Hen, 46, died of smoke inhalation and thermal burns after the fire, and his death was ruled a suicide, Lancaster County Coroner Eric Bieber confirmed Monday, Jan. 20.

Hen returned to his home on Wilderness Road at approximately 2:30 a.m., enraged over his impending separation from his 42-year-old wife, according to Lancaster Township Police. Inside the home were Hen’s two adult sons, ages 23 and 21, his 17-year-old daughter, and a 19-year-old female guest.

Hen reportedly went to the second floor, pouring gasoline in the hallway and his daughter’s bedroom while shouting angrily, which woke his sons. The two men saw Hen dousing gasoline on the house and himself. They tried to wrestle a lighter away from him, but Hen managed to ignite the gasoline, sparking a fire that engulfed the home.

Hen succumbed to his injuries and was found deceased on the second floor by firefighters. His sons and the 19-year-old guest suffered critical burns but managed to escape. Hen’s wife and daughter also fled, sustaining minor burns and smoke inhalation.

The injured were taken to Lancaster General Hospital, and the critically burned victims were later transferred to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center. All are in critical but stable condition, police said.

Firefighters from the Lancaster Township Fire Department and neighboring agencies contained the fire to a second-floor bedroom and hallway. Water was reported on the fire by 2:54 a.m., and it was declared under control by 3:21 a.m. Crews remained on the scene until 7 a.m. The blaze caused an estimated $350,000 in damages to the home and its contents.

The incident has been ruled a fire-related suicide and attempted homicide, police said. Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s office is leading the investigation.

Simon posted on social media about moving to a new home on Jan. 16.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lancaster Township Fire Department Captain Greg Leaman at greg.leaman@ltfd.org.

Simon loved exercising, fishing, and the Eagles. He frequently posted about fishing trips to Maryland on social media.

Details about the burn victims' conditions and current statuses were not available. The family is invited to share information and any fundraiser details with Daily Voice by emailing jpikora@dailyvoice.com.  

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