A 40‑year‑old woman is charged with deliberately igniting a fire at the Green Meadows Rehabilitation Center in Paoli, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 12, 2025.
Incident Details
On Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, shortly before 4:30 a.m., police responded to the Green Meadows Rehabilitation Center on Lancaster Avenue after a fire was reported. Officers observed heavy smoke coming from the third floor and worked to evacuate residents—many of whom were bedridden—while firefighters brought the flames under control. Several employees were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and none of the residents suffered injuries. Fifteen of the 164 residents were displaced.
Investigation Findings
A responding officer spoke with a staff member who identified one of the residents as Margaret Curran. Curran was detained and later interviewed by detectives. She allegedly alluded to starting the fire and admitted to having vapes and cigarettes in her room. According to the criminal complaint, the blanket caught fire from a yellow lighter on her roommate’s bed. Curran also claimed she was the only person inside the room when the fire began and said she did it to “bring attention to a problem.”
Legal Status
Curran was sent to Chester County Prison after being unable to post bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22, 2025. Online court records do not list an attorney for her.
Key Takeaways
- Margaret Curran, 40, is charged with causing catastrophe, arson, and recklessly endangering another person.
- No residents were injured, but 15 were displaced from the facility.
- Curran was detained, taken to prison, and faces a preliminary hearing on Dec. 22, 2025.
The incident highlights concerns about safety and oversight at rehabilitation facilities, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deliberate fire.
