Uniontown, PA — Pennsylvania State Police are renewing calls for information in a decades-old arson case that killed three young children in Fayette County, offering a $5,000 reward for tips that help solve the case.
According to Pennsylvania State Police Troop B, investigators responded on January 22, 1986, to a deadly house fire in North Union Township, Fayette County. The fire occurred at a residence along North Gallatin Avenue in Uniontown and was later ruled a homicide.
Three children — Franklin David Isler, 9; Taira Marie Isler, 8; and Lanny Ray Isler, 6 — died from smoke inhalation inside the home. A fourth child, Mark Anthony Isler, 10, managed to escape the blaze.
Police said the children’s parents, Catherine Flora Isler, 28, and Terrance Henry Lewis, 45, were not home when the fire started. Both were later charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children for allegedly leaving the children unattended. Authorities have repeatedly stated there has never been any indication that either parent played a role in starting the fire.
Investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set, citing the discovery of gasoline residue in samples taken from the burned home. Despite the finding, the individual responsible for setting the fire has never been identified or prosecuted, and the homicide investigation remains active.
State police are urging anyone with information — even details that may have seemed insignificant at the time — to come forward. Tips can be provided anonymously.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Uniontown at 724-439-7111, call PSP Tips toll-free at 1-800-472-8477, or submit tips online at p3tips.com. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest or resolution.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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