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Man Allegedly Sets House On Fire, Undergoes Mental Evaluation

CHIPPEWA (KDKA) -- A man was taken away for a mental evaluation after he apparently set fire to his house in Chippewa Township, Beaver County.

Chippewa Police got a call at about 10:30 p.m. Monday about a domestic dispute, but when they arrived, they found only one person in the house – 39-year-old Daryl Wilczek.

It appeared he burned the house down and was on a mission.

"When officers arrived there, the house was partially engulfed," Chippewa Police Chief Robert Berchtold said. "At which time they approached closer, they noticed this individual come out of the front door of the house. At that point, they noticed he had a rope around his neck."

Relatives who live nearby, including a teenage nephew, helped subdue him even though he was armed with a knife.

Off camera, they told KDKA-TV Wilczek was despondent over his mother's serious illness and was hard to control Monday night.

"At one point, he did ask officers to shoot him, so they did detain him, apprehend, take him to the Heritage Valley Hospital in Brighton Township here in Beaver County to be evaluated for mental status," Berchtold said.

Police say they will consult with the local fire marshal regarding any possible criminal charges.

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