CLAIRTON, Pa. — A man is facing arson charges after a fire at an apartment building in Clairton.
At 7:00 p.m. on Friday, police were called to the 400 block of Halcomb Avenue for reports of a structure fire.
Emergency crews first encountered Gregory Cottingham, 67, when they arrived, court documents say. He was outside the building when they arrived but went back inside as they began clearing people out of apartment units.
Police said smoke could be seen coming from around the door of Cottingham’s unit. Officers asked him to open the door and said he refused. They said he instead tried to lead them into the basement, where there were no signs of fire.
Firefighters were able to open the door after working on it for five minutes and 50 seconds. They saw heavy smoke and flames in his kitchen. The smoke began to pour into the hallway. Police said, that the kitchen sustained extensive damage because of Cottingham’s delay.
Police said Cottingham had to be forcefully removed from the building.
Crews had to request that gas and electricity be turned off for the entire building. As a result, at least eight people were displaced. They were taken to the Clairton Municipal Building to work with the Red Cross.
Police filed charges against Cottingham on Saturday, arguing that he put first responders and apartment residents in danger by refusing to open the door and trying to lead them away from the source of the fire.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is working to learn more.
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