Altoona, PA (WJAC) — Authorities in Blair County say an Altoona man has been charged with arson after he allegedly admitted to nearly burning down his own home while trying to kill spiders with a small butane torch.
Police say fire crews were dispatched to the reported house fire, located along the 1400 block of Logan Blvd., around 7 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities say the caller, identified as 42-year-old Joshua Jenkins, claimed that his home was "in serious danger of burning down."
Investigators say when they questioned Jenkins about how the fire started, he reportedly admitted to using a small torch to try to kill spiders that were "infesting" his home.
Police say the flame reportedly caught the siding of the house on fire, which Jenkins claimed he later noticed when he went to mow his neighbor's lawn.
Investigators noted that Jenkins attempted to "interfere" with firefighters on scene and also reportedly hid the torch from authorities.
According to online court records, Jenkins was arraigned Friday morning on various charges, including arson, risking catastrophe, possession of an instrument of crime, evidence tampering and obstructing emergency services.
Jenkins was previously charged in December after police say he allegedly stole a bag of drugs from a parked ambulance at UPMC Altoona.
He is being held at the Blair County Prison on $75,000 bail.
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