Building resident arrested in Jermyn arson
Published: September 23, 2009
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share thisJERMYN - A resident of an apartment building heavily damaged by flames Tuesday night was arrested Wednesday on charges of starting the fire during what investigators say was an argument over the ownership of video games.
Timothy Ferguson, 20, of 4 Henry Drive, Apt. F, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Laura Turlip Murphy on arson and other charges. He was ordered held on $100,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing Wednesday at 11:15 a.m.
Heavy smoke was pouring from the second floor of the eight-unit apartment building, owned by the Lackawanna County Housing Authority, when firefighters arrived about 10:45 p.m.
Four people had to be rescued from the burning building, and two were injured. Eight people, including Mr. Ferguson, were displaced.
According to the arrest affidavit filed by borough Patrolman Mark McAndrew and state police Fire Marshal Russ Andress, the fire had two distinct points of origin in a stuffed chair and a couch in the living room of Mr. Ferguson's apartment.
A friend of the suspect, Shane Loughney, told police he was in the apartment prior to the fire when he and Mr. Ferguson began arguing over who owned several video games.
Mr. Loughney said Mr. Ferguson went "nuts" and started stabbing his couch with a knife, according to the affidavit. He then started throwing lit matches around the apartment, saying he would burn the building down if Mr. Loughney didn't leave.
Interviewed at Mid Valley Hospital, Mr. Ferguson initially denied starting the fire but later admitted he set fire to a chair to get Mr. Loughney to leave, police said.
Mr. Ferguson was charged with multiple counts of arson endangering persons, arson endangering property and recklessly endangering another person.
Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com
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