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ASHLEY — Police have arrested a Wilkes-Barre man in connection with a fire that torched a borough bar and attached apartments last week

Police arrested James Charles Murphy, 53, on two felony counts of arson and one count of felony criminal mischief in connection with the fire, which heavily damaged Cellar Dwellers, at 34 S. Main St., and the apartments next door early in the morning of May 18.

The complaint says that Murphy approached borough Fire Chief Joseph McGlynn on Sunday and told him “he couldn’t live with himself anymore.” According to the complaint, Murphy allegedly admitted causing the fire at the bar, owned by his brother, Raymond Murphy.

During an interview with police, Murphy said he left the home of his girlfriend, Kathy Wynn, around 2 a.m. and went to the bar to get paint brushes and tools, the complaint says. According to the complaint, Murphy told police he entered through the basement and left his lit cigarette on top of cardboard box. Murphy then took the paint brushes and a can of paint thinner and left the bar, going to a Turkey Hill and then home, the complaint says.

The total damage to the building and apartments was $175,000, according to the complaint. The structures have since been torn down.

Murphy was arraigned Friday in front of District Judge Joseph Halesey and taken to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 straight bail.

A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. June 7 in front of Halesey.

Cellar Dewellers on Main street in Ashley sustained major damage, as did the next-door residence, in a fire May 18.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL051916Fire1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgCellar Dewellers on Main street in Ashley sustained major damage, as did the next-door residence, in a fire May 18. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader file photo

Murphy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Murphy_mug-2.jpg.optimal.jpgMurphy Aimee Dilger | Times Leader file photo

Murphy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Murphy_mug_toned.jpg.optimal.jpgMurphy Aimee Dilger | Times Leader file photo

By Melanie Mizenko

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Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko