Gov. Ed Rendell today promised Coatesville $500,000 to help fund the hunt for an arsonist who has terrorized the city with 21 house fires in 25 days. The money will be used pay for overtime for the local police and fire departments so that they can expand the investigation and assist fire victims.

"Coatesville is in a local state of emergency and panic today as the city is under seige by an arsonist or band of arsonists," said Gov. Rendell. "The community is struggling. The city's $4 million budget for fire and police services can't keep up and give the victims the services they need and deserve in response to this crisis."

Tuesday night the arsonist or arsonists struck the 21st time this year with a fire that was set at the rear of a home in the 100 block of Chester Avenue. No injuries were reported. The fire was ruled arson today by the county Arson task force composed of city, state and federal authorities.

"Today, we're taking steps to ensure Coatesville has additional resources to find the criminals that have victimized the city and its residents. To help ensure these services can be continued to be delivered, I'm announcing that the commonwealth will provide $500,000 through the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency and the Department of Community and Economic Development," Gov. Rendell said.

Last month Rendell directed the state police to provide extensive assistance to the Coatesville Police Department in investigating the number of arson incidents. The state police Fire Marshal's Office has been working closely with city police.

State police have been assigned to patrol the area in marked and unmarked car and to provide criminal intelligence information to the city police. State police are also providing personnel and expertise to organize a Task Force Investigative Command Center staffed by state police, city police, county detectives, and ATF agents.

Members of the state's Direct Victims' Services Unit have been deployed to Coatesville to assist victims in getting compensation for medical care, counseling and relocation, and they can help expedite emergency reimbursements where appropriate.