A man was arrested today in a suspected arson that started at a vacant home before badly damaging an adjoining occupied house in the city's Esplen section.
A man who lives in the neighborhood said he saw two men leaving the vacant house with copper wire earlier this morning. Responding officers found a man with copper wire and pipe around the corner and arrested him.
The two-alarm blaze was reported around 10:45 a.m. in the 300 block of Walcott Street. It quickly spread to a house next door that was occupied by a couple and their infant daughter.
"It's done," said Delbert Taylor of his house as he stood outside hugging his wife. "There's a hole in the roof. The kitchen is a waterfall."
His brother, Ken Peterson, who lives across the street, said the fire is suspicious because no one has lived in the house, it was locked up, and the owner lives in Maryland.
Ervin Riley of the North Side said he told police he saw two men take copper wire out of the house earlier today.
Det. Michael Burns of the arson squad said arriving police spotted Ronald Thornton of nearby Sloan Way around the corner from the fire.
He said Mr. Thornton was seen leaving the first torched building five to 10 minutes before the fire was reported.
Police Sgt. Dan Connolly of Zone 6 arrived and saw Mr. Thornton in the alley and recognized him as a suspect in a recent arson at an old bar at Carson and Tabor streets. Officer Paul Jenkins arrested him.
Authorities said Mr. Thornton will be charged with arson, risking a catastrophe and other offenses.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published: June 17, 2008, 8:15 p.m.