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LUZERNE — A man who allegedly told police he was trying to start a campfire when the front porch of his apartment building went up in flames Wednesday was arrested as emergency crews responded to the scene.
Borough police Chief Michael J. Kotwasinski was dispatched to 134 Sly St. for a report of a structure fire at about 10:49 a.m. and arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the porch, which had a hole burned into it, police said.
Apartments at the residence were evacuated, and 50-year-old resident James Burlaga was taken into custody for allegedly being intoxicated and interfering with fire department operations, police said.
Burlaga later allegedly admitted to police that he started the fire, stating that he tried to start a campfire for his family and friends. Burlaga further stated that foil blew off a shovel and caught the porch on fire, according to police.
Police said firefighters recovered a burnt shovel along with its burnt handle and some burnt tin foil from the hole in the porch.
Luzerne Borough Fire Chief Frank Barber Sr. said firefighters arrived to find the porch of the house on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported, he said.
The building housed several apartments but, according to Barber, damage was limited to the porch. Firefighters from Edwardsville, Pringle and Swoyersville boroughs assisted with the call.
A Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit was called to investigate and ruled that the fire was intentionally set.
Burlaga was charged with felony counts of arson: endangering property – reckless endangerment of inhabited buildings; and reckless burning or exploding; and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Justice James Tupper in Kingston Township and, unable to post $75,000 bail, was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. May 12 before District Judge David A. Barilla in Swoyersville.
Times Leader reporter Steve Mocarsky contributed to this report.
