Building owner charged in blaze that killed Pennsylvania firefighter

1 firefighter dead after Philadelphia building collapse This photo provided by the Philadelphia Fire Dept., emergency personnel respond to the scene of a building that caught fire then collapsed early Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Fire Department said “several” firefighters and a city inspector became trapped when a building collapsed during a fire response early Saturday, with more than one person still under the rubble hours later. (Philadelphia Fire Dept. via AP) (AP)

By Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The owner of a Philadelphia building where a firefighter died while on the job this month has been charged with setting the blaze.

Authorities made the announcement Tuesday.

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They also say 28-year-old Al-Ashraf Khalil lied to authorities probing the June 18 blaze.

They say he later flew from the United States to Jordan after telling investigators he had no travel plans.

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But he was refused entry to Jordan and was arrested Friday at an airport in New York City.

Khalil’s lawyer says his client had no role in starting the fire.

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The blaze killed Lt. Sean Williamson and injured five other people.