Investigators tell the Wellsville Sun that chicken feathers burned on a porch during a random act by a disoriented Wellsville resident caused the blaze
By JOHN ANDERSON
Thad and Tonya Lorshbaugh took one look at their Wellsville home that burned down to the ground after an arson arrest and grabbed shovels.
They were looking for one thing.
Yes, the home had a lifetime of memories, keepsakes, furniture, clothing, appliances and more was wiped out by a bizarre fire on April 11 around 3 a.m.
But they had a box with photos, outfits and a dress of their 3-year-old daughter, Erin, a twin of their daughter Amy. Erin died at age three, 26 years ago. They wanted the box. For six hours, they shoveled. For Thad Lorshbaugh, manual labor is a way of life. But now he had a purpose.
And after six hours … nothing. Everything was gone.
“At one point, I was looking for anything, but after six hours, I found nothing,” Thad said.
It’s the house Thad has lived in since he was 12-years-old. It was his grandfather’s home, built by his Godfather. He wanted to find his first gun or his grandfather’s guns. Nothing.
The Lorshbaugh’s had never met the acting Allegany County District Attorney Peter Degnan. But there he was on their property later that morning, listening and even ending his visit with an embrace for the family.
The Amity-based New York State Police troopers responded with Wellsville firefighters at 3:08 a.m. to the scene. Troopers made an arrest at 5:55 a.m.
Troopers charged Shelby T. Watson, 28, with felony fourth-degree arson with reckless endangering, felony second-degree burglary for illegally entering a dwelling, third-degree criminal trespass and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
Watson was arraigned in Allegany County CAP Court and is being held on no bail. Prosecutors said she was a disoriented female who didn’t know the family or where she was.
Watson allegedly went into the Lorshbaugh’s chicken coop, grabbed feathers, went to the front porch of the home and set them on fire.
The Lorshbaugh’s were visiting their daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren. They brought their dog which saved the dog. The chickens survived as well. (Link to a family GoFundMe HERE)
“Thank God they took their dog with them,” said Degnan. “They lost everything … I mean everything. There was nothing left. The structure was gone, all their family heirlooms were gone. It was pretty bad. I feel terrible for this family.”
Degnan said he went to the scene to see the Lorshbaugh’s to make sure they knew “the DA supports victims and we are there to help.”
The Baldwin’s dropped off a tractor for them to use. Friends and family have dropped off clothes and food. Strangers have reached out to help or donated.
Someone told the Lorshbaugh’s it was “reverse karma.” The Lorshbaugh family has always volunteered their time in the community and now the community is giving back.
“The support has been overwhelming … it’s crazy,” Thad said. “People have stopped with food and clothes trying to help, it’s been humbling.”
