LATROBE, Pa. — Several people escaped an apartment building fire in Latrobe Wednesday morning that investigators determined was intentionally set.
The fire on Main Street began shortly after 6 a.m., forcing Thomas Vaker and four other residents to evacuate.
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"There were like 60-foot flames coming out just that quick," said Vaker.
Officials said the flames were sparked by Brandon Baradziej, 31, who they said confessed to starting the fire using cologne.
According to police, Baradziej doused items in a closet inside his apartment with the cologne, then set it on fire in hopes of collecting renter's insurance.
Only Channel 11 was at the magistrate's office when Baradziej was brought there to face a judge. He is charged with arson.
Investigators said Baradziej has had several run-ins with the law in the past.