WEST VIEW, Pa.,None — A man accused of setting a fire that injured one firefighter in West View early Thursday morning has been arrested.
Police said Ronald Towers was charged with arson, burglary and criminal mischief.
The blaze broke out on the second floor at a home along Georgetown Avenue shortly after 1 a.m.
Police said Towers started the fire by packing his wife's straightening iron with paper.
Towers, who is a volunteer firefighter, left the scene after starting the fire, then returned with his fellow firefighters to battle the blaze, officials said.
Lori Towers said they separated about a month ago and Towers told police he was mad that she was leaving him.
"It makes no sense," Lori said. "Someone tells you that he loves you and then does something like this?"
According to the criminal complaint, Ronald Towers said he intended on trying Lori up and setting the house on fire in order to kill her and her animals. He also said that because he is a fireman, he would know how to set the fire and get away with it.
Janine Macbay said her husband heard the commotion from across the street.
"He heard something that sounded like gunshots out here," Macbay said. "So he looked out the window and he said, 'That house looks like it has that ominous fiery glow to it.'"
A firefighter suffered a minor burn while battling the blaze. However, he did not have to be hospitalized.
Officials said the damage inside the house is significant, but didn't comment on how much the repairs would cost.
"This is my everything, my all," Lori said. "Everybody works hard for home and he knew how important this was for me."
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