Update on Jonas Hotel Fire

Brodheadsville man charged in three fires, including Jonas Hotel
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By GEMA MARÍA DUARTE

Pocono Record Writer

JONAS -- An arson arrest was made after a series of fires the last two months, officials reported.

Tiberiu Mugar Mironescu of Brodheadsville was arrested Oct. 23 after admitting to setting fire to the Jonas Hotel on Sept. 3 and New World Voyagers Inc. on Oct. 17 and again on the day he was arrested.

The 29-year-old allegedly set the historic hotel on fire from outside the structure with a pile of cardboard boxes and trash, according to Hazleton Fire Marshal reports.

The fire caused severe damage to the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms.

Fire damage to the hotel was about $200,000, said Mike Pandolfo, one of the hotel's owners.

Hotel guests were evacuated after a couple of residents driving on Jonas Road noticed flames in the back of the structure.

They called 911, woke up guests and helped evacuate the structure.

Damages to New World Voyagers Inc., which is less than a mile away from the hotel, were unknown late Tuesday.

All three fires occurred between 4 and 6 a.m.

Since the hotel fire, Pandolfo has been focusing on getting his business running, but when state police showed up at his business to tell him the news of the arrest he said he was blown away.

"I think it's tremendous that he finally got caught," said Pandolfo, who plans to re-open the dining area with a full menu on Friday. "I'm glad they caught him and he's off the street."

Mironescu had his preliminary hearing on Monday at Magisterial District Judge JoLana Krawitz's office.

Mironescu is being held at Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of a $75,000 bail.