Suspect In Custody After Suspicious Fires In McKeesport
MCKEESPORT (KDKA) – A fire official said a suspect was in custody after a series of suspicious fires in McKeesport.
One of the suspicious fires happened in the 1600 block of Sixth Street. Firefighters were called to the home around midnight Monday night.
The four family members that live in the home are staying elsewhere thanks to the Red Cross after fire officials say their home is a total loss. Officials are calling the fire suspicious and say this isn't the first fire that happened in the area overnight.
Just after midnight, the firefighters knocked down a fire at the home.
"We got here and had fire on the front porch and already coming out of a second story window on the right side of the building," McKeesport Deputy Fire Chief Don Sabol said.
Firefighters initially thought the people who live here were home and trapped, but it turns out no one was there. The neighbors noticed the fire first and called for help.
However, not long before this, other fires were reported.
"We were at another smaller fire and on the way back, we got punched out to this one here," Sabol said.
Firefighters say Harry Slava, 25, set three items on fire on Market Street in McKeesport. Police say Slava ignited the tarp of a small motorboat. Then, he allegedly set fire to pieces of cardboard inside a dumpster.
A Dodge Caravan sitting in the parking lot of an apartment building in Harrison Village also had fire damage.
"I couldn't tell you if they're connected with [the house fire] one or not, but the other fires that happened while we were here they have a suspect in custody," Sabol said.
Police spotted Slava in the area and took him into custody for questioning. He admitted to police that he set all three fires, and set them for no reason after leaving the bar.
Officials are also working to determine if Slava is responsible for the house fire as well.
He currently faces multiple charges including arson, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter