Man sets fire to home in Pittsburgh’s Brookline, barricades self inside

A man is expected to face charges after officials believe he intentionally set a house on fire, resulting in the death of a cat in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood. Officials said at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Pittsburgh police and firefighters were called to a home in the 1500 block of Ballinger Street following reports of a fire. A relative, police said, called 911 to report that a man inside was threatening to set the structure on fire. Upon arrival, police said they found a man barricaded inside. Police made contact and said the individual soon surrendered. During the surrender, officers found two firearms on the man and saw flames and smoke emitting from the home’s front door. Firefighters entered the home and extinguished the fire. The home sustained moderate damage and is considered a loss. We’re told a cat died as a result of the fire. A dog was inside the home at the time and was later rescued. No injuries were reported. The man, who has not been identified, was taken to police headquarters for questioning. He is expected to be charged. Authorities said the American Red Cross is assisting the remaining residents who lived at the home.

PITTSBURGH —

A man is expected to face charges after officials believe he intentionally set a house on fire, resulting in the death of a cat in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood.

Officials said at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Pittsburgh police and firefighters were called to a home in the 1500 block of Ballinger Street following reports of a fire.

A relative, police said, called 911 to report that a man inside was threatening to set the structure on fire.

Upon arrival, police said they found a man barricaded inside. Police made contact and said the individual soon surrendered.

During the surrender, officers found two firearms on the man and saw flames and smoke emitting from the home’s front door.

Firefighters entered the home and extinguished the fire. The home sustained moderate damage and is considered a loss.

We’re told a cat died as a result of the fire. A dog was inside the home at the time and was later rescued.

No injuries were reported.

The man, who has not been identified, was taken to police headquarters for questioning. He is expected to be charged.

Authorities said the American Red Cross is assisting the remaining residents who lived at the home.