WORTH TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — State police in Butler County say a deadly house fire that broke out Thursday evening at a home in Worth Township has been ruled arson.

According to state police, the fire started in a shed and spread to the nearby home in the 300-block of Book Road. It all happened around 6:30 p.m.

The identity of the man who died has not been released, but state police say he was the property owner’s 58-year-old stepfather.

Authorities say the man was helping to remove life-supporting equipment from the home for the property owner’s 18-month-old son when he became ill.

He was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital, but later died.

Meanwhile, investigators say they are looking a young man who was seen in the area about 20 minute before the homeowner saw the fire.

State police describe him as a white male between the ages of 17 and 25 with short, brown hair. He was about five-foot-ten, weighed about 170 pounds and may have had on a tie-dye t-shirt.

The Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Investigation Unit continues to investigate.

Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact state police in Butler County at 724-284-8100.

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