MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A man is facing a felony arson charge after a vehicle fire in McKeesport.
According to court documents, emergency crews were called to the 2300 block of Highland Avenue for reports of a vehicle fire at 11 p.m. on Friday.
A tan Chevy Cavalier was found fully engulfed in flames at the scene.
A witness told investigators they saw the man who set the fire walk into a house directly across the street. Police said a man wearing a black T-shirt and gray pants exited the home and they took him into custody. He was identified as Tom J. Lockhart, 36.
Police said Lockhart was visibly intoxicated and said he had been to two bars earlier in the evening. He denied having any involvement with the fire. A witness at the scene disagreed. She told police she saw Lockhart outside the vehicle before it burst into flames and that he told her he “did not care” about it.
A detective obtained camera footage from a neighbor. The video showed a man matching Lockhart’s description exiting the house and walking to the passenger side of the vehicle. Police say he is there when flames are seen erupting inside the car.
The video shows the man in the video was also wearing a black T-shirt and gray sweatpants.
Police say the Allegheny County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Lockhart faces a charge of arson, endangering persons and a citation for public drunkenness. He is being held at the Allegheny County Jail. His bail was denied, with officials listing him as “a threat to the community.”
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