Posted on 05/13/2002 8:20:28 PM PDT by calvin sun
VALLEY - Authorities said arson was the cause of two fires yesterday at the Saha farm, the site of a tug of war where Coatesville wants to condemn the land to build a recreational center and golf course.
No one was injured in the fires, which started at 12:30 a.m. yesterday and caused $1,800 in damage to a horse trailer and a barn.
Four horses in the barn were led to safety by the family, which used a garden hose to put out the barn blaze as emergency crews arrived to contain the trailer fire.
The two fires broke out almost simultaneously 100 feet from one another, police said. The Embreeville barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police, which is conducting an investigation, ruled the fires arson.
"If there was one fire, you would wonder," said Nancy Saha, who owns the farm with her husband, Richard. "But two fires 100 feet apart, that's very suspicious. I'm absolutely scared to death. Who is to say they won't come back tonight and try to finish the job?"
Chester County District Attorney Joe Carroll said yesterday he did not know the details of what happened and had no comment.
Since announcing plans in 1999 for a $60 million, 210-acre playland of golf, bowling and ice skating, Coatesville has faced multiple obstacles in its bid to condemn nine properties in and around the city.
Several landowners have settled with the city, but the Sahas have waged an all-out campaign to keep their land, erecting billboards and creating a Web site.
The issue has divided the community and emotions climaxed on April 22 when Ricky Saha, the couple's son, made a death threat against Coatesville City Councilman David DeSimone. Ricky Saha was arrested, released on bail and ordered to stand trial.
The latest twist in the saga came Friday, when Chester County Judge William P. Mahon dismissed Coatesville's appeal of a decision by West Caln Township to include the Sahas' property in the township's agricultural-security district.
The district affords the farm, which lies mostly in Valley township but extends into West Caln, some protection from seizure via eminent domain. Valley Township does not have an agricultural-security district.
Nancy Saha said she and her husband were returning home from a square dance at 12:30 a.m. yesterday when they noticed a light on in the barn.
As they got closer, Richard Saha noticed smoke coming from the building. That's when he grabbed the hose, Nancy Saha said.
Five minutes later, a son-in-law who lives on the farm and was rushing to help put out the barn fire, noticed the nearby trailer was aflame, Nancy Saha said.
The family then took hoses to the trailer and were able to put out the flames by the time fire crews responded, Nancy Saha said.
The Sahas live on the property with their two daughters and their families.
"We're petrified now. We're a nervous wreck. This is scary," said Dawn Lipinski of Coatesville, who rents space in the barn for her horse, Jack.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at 610-269-5355.
The Sahas believe the ad (which misrepresents the judge's position and implies that the Sahas are harming Coatesville) may have incited someone to act against the family.
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