Man Arrested For Allegedly Setting Multiple North Shore Porta Potties On Fire
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A man is behind bars after allegedly causing a fire that destroyed multiple porta potties on the North Shore.
It happened just before 1 a.m. on Tony Dorsett Drive by West General Robinson Street. When KDKA got to the scene, the portable toilets were still smoldering.
"That's pretty insane. There's no words honestly," said Jessica Kirsch of Baden.
In the complaint, police said they found Bankhead sitting on a ledge underneath the T tracks by Heinz Field. He was sitting directly above a sign that says "no trespassing," near Gold Lot 1-A.
The criminal complaint says he told police, "I didn't start it on purpose." Police say he was referring to the fire.
WATCH: KDKA's Amy Wadas reports live
The fire destroyed and damaged a total of seven toilets.
The porta potties that had caught on fire melted to the ground. One toilet was also severely melted and can't be used.
Approved Toilet Rental owns the burned toilets. KDKA reached out to the company for a statement, and they had no comment. Police estimate damage costing around $6,400.
#BREAKING: We are learning this morning the man accused of setting several porta potties on fire on the North Shore overnight is 31-year-old Kevin Bankhead. He is behind bars facing multiple charges. pic.twitter.com/PrXShRWdnR
— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) October 7, 2019
Mike Davis works the production lot at Stage AE.
"That's a shame. I witness the ones down there getting used quite frequently," said Davis.
ALCO Parking owns the fence and a manager said it's assessing the damage.
The company just installed fencing over the summer. It's not happy with what happened and is glad police caught the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Kevin Bankhead. Police estimate damage to the fence costing around $2,000.
Bankhead is now in the Allegheny County Jail. He faces two counts of criminal mischief, one count of arson and one count of defiant trespassing.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
