Pittsburgh man accused of setting fire day before eviction hearing

Pittsburgh Police are searching for a man who they say set a fire in his apartment one day before a court hearing on his eviction. An arrest warrant has been issued for 22-year-old Jacob Aaron Cooper in connection with a fire at an apartment on Wood Street. Emergency responders were called to the apartment around 4:41 a.m. on Monday for a fire that had been contained then extinguished by a sprinkler.Investigators say there was damage to a couch, a pair of tennis shoes and a bicycle wheel. They said they dug through the debris and were able to rule out natural or accidental causes for the fire. Authorities believe the couch was set on fire with a lighter or a match, then spread to the shoes.The apartment’s operation manager told authorities Cooper lived in the apartment but he had been given a 30-day eviction notice last month for damage he had caused.She said Cooper was set to have a hearing in court for the eviction on Tuesday.According to authorities, camera footage caught the door to the apartment open at 4:12 a.m. and smoke pouring out of the room. Cooper is then allegedly seen exiting the room and walking down the hallway. Cooper is facing multiple charges, including Aggravated Arson, three counts of felony Arson, Causing or Risking Catastrophe, Criminal Mischief, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh Police are searching for a man who they say set a fire in his apartment one day before a court hearing on his eviction.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 22-year-old Jacob Aaron Cooper in connection with a fire at an apartment on Wood Street.

Emergency responders were called to the apartment around 4:41 a.m. on Monday for a fire that had been contained then extinguished by a sprinkler.

Investigators say there was damage to a couch, a pair of tennis shoes and a bicycle wheel. They said they dug through the debris and were able to rule out natural or accidental causes for the fire.

Authorities believe the couch was set on fire with a lighter or a match, then spread to the shoes.

The apartment’s operation manager told authorities Cooper lived in the apartment but he had been given a 30-day eviction notice last month for damage he had caused.

She said Cooper was set to have a hearing in court for the eviction on Tuesday.

According to authorities, camera footage caught the door to the apartment open at 4:12 a.m. and smoke pouring out of the room.

Cooper is then allegedly seen exiting the room and walking down the hallway.

Cooper is facing multiple charges, including Aggravated Arson, three counts of felony Arson, Causing or Risking Catastrophe, Criminal Mischief, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.