https://naviga.triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/harrison-man-accused-of-setting-fire-in-basement-of-natrona-house-after-argument-with-homeowner/
Harrison man accused of setting fire in basement of Natrona house after argument with homeowner
A Harrison man is accused of starting a fire early Sunday in the basement of a home in the township’s Natrona section.
Allegheny County Police announced Monday that Eric Knabenshue, 35, has been arrested. He is charged with two felony counts of arson, felony counts of criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and simple assault.
According to authorities, the fire was reported about 1 a.m. at a Spruce Street home.
Hilltop Hose fire Chief Jeff Balog described the fire as small and contained to the unfinished basement. Firefighters from Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum responded and had the fire under control within 30 minutes.
There was smoke damage to the first and second floors, and additional damage to the first floor, where firefighters had to open walls to check for spread of the fire, Balog said.
The house is salvageable but will need renovation, he said.
No one was hurt. Balog said the Red Cross is helping the woman who owns the home and her teenage son.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was “incendiary in nature.”
According to county police, detectives learned Knabenshue was at the home before the fire and left the scene afterward. The homeowner said Knabenshue went into the basement about 12:30 a.m. after an argument.
County police said they found Knabenshue sent threatening text messages to a neighbor in the hours after the fire.
Knabenshue was being held in the Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary arraignment, county police said.
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