Pittsburgh-Area Man, 74, Set Own Apartment Building On Fire: Police

ETNA, PA— An Etna man faces numerous felony charges for allegedly setting the apartment building in which he resides on fire, causing significant damage to that structure and the building next door.

Elmer Lewis, 74, was taken into custody after allegedly telling a person at the scene that he started the fire in the three-story building at 74 Vilsack Street, police said. The fire began at around noon on Tuesday and took multiple fire companies to extinguish the blaze.

Six people were displaced by the fire. No serious injuries were reported, but a firefighter was treated for a heat-related issue.

According to court documents, Lewis is charged with two counts of aggravated arson, one count of risking a catastrophe, four counts of arson-endangering persons, two counts of arson-endangering property and five counts of criminal mischief.

Lewis is being housed in the Allegheny County Jail. As of Wednesday morning, he had not been arraigned, according to court records.