A Pennsylvania man accused of deliberately setting multiple fires inside his own home in a bizarre attempt to exterminate spiders has been arrested in New York City following a separate hit-and-run incident. The chaotic sequence of events began on Monday evening in the community of Pocono Pines.
Eight-Hour Firefight in Freezing Conditions
Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief Chris Wagner detailed that officers responded to reports of flames at 36-year-old Sean McDermott's townhome on Uncus Lane. The fire rapidly escalated, causing significant damage to three neighboring residential units. Investigators determined the blaze originated inside McDermott's own residence.
According to witness statements provided to authorities, McDermott, who is originally from East Moriches, New York, had been lighting small fires throughout the day. He reportedly told a friend and other witnesses that his motive was to kill spiders living within the home. Police allege he ignited a fire directly on the floor and then stacked a loveseat on top of the flames to fuel them.
A Friend's Futile Efforts to Intervene
The situation grew increasingly dangerous as, despite the friend's repeated and desperate attempts to extinguish the fires, McDermott persistently reignited them. Both men eventually left the property, only to return later and discover the structure was now completely engulfed in roaring flames.
Volunteer firefighters were forced to battle the intense blaze for approximately eight grueling hours. Chief Wagner noted they worked under extremely challenging conditions, including freezing temperatures and hazardous icy surfaces, before finally managing to bring the fire under control.
Flight to Manhattan and Dramatic Arrest
In the aftermath of the fire, McDermott allegedly fled the Pennsylvania scene in a U-Haul truck. His journey ended nearly one hundred miles away in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday night. New York Police Department officers responded to a hit-and-run collision involving that same U-Haul truck.
Police reports state that McDermott abandoned the vehicle at the crash site and attempted to flee on foot but was swiftly apprehended and taken into custody. The arrest prompted a significant police response, with NYPD's Emergency Services Unit and bomb squad dispatched to the scene as a precaution.
Concerning Discovery in the Truck
Upon searching the abandoned U-Haul, officers made a disturbing discovery. Inside, they found nitrous oxide canisters, commonly referred to as laughing gas, along with a container of liquid accelerant. Chief Wagner confirmed these findings in his statements to the press.
McDermott now faces a series of charges in New York City, including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession or sale of a noxious material. WPVI reports that McDermott has a prior criminal history, with four previous arrests in New York City, one of which was an assault charge dating back to 2019.
Extradition and Pending Arson Charges
Following an initial court appearance before a judge in New York City, Sean McDermott is expected to be extradited back to Pennsylvania. There, he will confront additional serious charges directly related to the Pocono Pines fire, with arson expected to be the primary allegation. The case highlights a startling chain of criminal activity spanning two states, beginning with a dangerous act of domestic arson and culminating in a chaotic urban hit-and-run.
