Chester County doctor charged with arson after burning down own home, police say

EASTTOWN TOWNSHIP (KYW Newsradio) — For the second time in two months, firefighters rushed to a Tudor-style home on Leopard Road near its intersection with Sugartown Road in Easttown Township, Chester County on Tuesday.

Unlike the last time it burned — on May 1 — this time, authorities determined it was an arson, and have charged owner Dr. Kathryn Calmus Frankel, with the crime.

Frankel, an emergency medical physician, is charged with arson, risking a catastrophe, reckless burning, criminal recklessness and dangerous burning.

Officials said Frankel, her estranged husband, and a public adjuster were at the house on Tuesday morning. When the public adjuster left, they said the house went up in flames.

Frankel was arraigned on charges Wednesday and released after a professional bondsman posted her bail.

She has not been charged in connection with the May 1 fire. Her husband has not been charged in connection with either fires.

The cause of the May 1 fire remains undetermined.

Frankel and her husband bought the historic home in 2016 for $890,000. Zillow lists the property value before the fire as more than $1.4 million.