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Police: Man Assaulted Wife & Set Home On Fire Before Killing Himself

SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- State police say the man wanted for questioning in a fire and alleged domestic dispute in Shaler Township overnight has died.

According to police, 46-year-old William James shot and killed himself in his vehicle in Mercer County following a police pursuit Tuesday morning.

william-james-mecer
(Photo Credit: KDKA)

The fire started much earlier, around 5:45 a.m., in the 400-block of Heights Drive in Shaler. Flames were reportedly showing through the roof when crews got on scene. Firefighters faced heavy smoke but were able to bring the blaze under control in about 15 minutes.

"We had some heavy smoke and steam, because of temps," said Jim Skalos, chief of the Cherry City Volunteer Fire Department, "but the bulk of the fire was at the front door."

Police say they received a call from a local hospital that a woman who lives at the home where the fire happened, may have been assaulted.

Elizabeth Gentile lives across the street. She called 911 when she saw her neighbor's house in flames.

"When I came out, my neighbor was out; she was screaming," said Gentile. "There were flames at the front door, the door was open, and I just called 911."

Gentile said police told her the couple who lives in the house, who she called Bill and Chris, had a domestic dispute overnight.

"The police said there was a domestic over there overnight, and we didn't hear anything, naturally," she said. "They've been our neighbors for years, great people. We love them. I just hope everything is okay."

The Cherry City Fire Department chief says the fire originated at the front door and is under investigation.

Firefighters searched the home after putting out the fire. No one was inside and no injuries were reported.

Police then issued a "be on the lookout" alert for James in connection to the fire and alleged assault.

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(Photo Courtesy: Shaler Township Police)

According to Shaler Township Police, James was driving a dark-colored 2016 Subaru Legacy.

"Just yesterday, we said, 'Hello, how ya doing?' He said everything was fine," said Gentile.

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If you have any information on the case, you're asked to call police.

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