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Man Charged in Connection With Fire
Vacant Ridge St. home destroyed in blaze
By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
August 26, 2022
Posted in: Crime and Police News, McKeesport and Region News
A city man has been charged in connection with a Thursday morning fire that destroyed a vacant home on Ridge Street.
Darryl E. Chapman, 37, no address available, is charged by McKeesport police with arson, recklessly endangering other persons, causing a catastrophe and criminal mischief, according to documents filed in Allegheny County Night Court.
Chapman was awaiting a preliminary hearing on Friday evening, court officials said.
The fire is being investigated by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office.
McKeesport fire Chief Jeff Tomovcsik said crews were dispatched at 11:17 a.m. Thursday and arrived to find the two-story wood-frame house at 604 Ridge St. fully engulfed by flame.
Although the home was abandoned, there was evidence of squatters, he said.
County records indicate the house is owned by a Braddock man and was tax-delinquent.
According to the criminal complaint, a man matching Chapman’s description was caught on a surveillance camera leaving the Ridge Street home seconds before the fire broke through the roof.
Chapman was detained by police about 20 minutes later on May Street and questioned, the complaint states.
Firefighters from Allegheny County Airport, Glassport, Liberty Borough, Port Vue and White Oak responded to the scene, along with McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service and the Salvation Army. Firefighters from Rainbow and Dravosburg were kept on standby, Tomovcsik said.
Crews brought the fire under control in approximately 40 minutes, he said. No injuries were reported and there was no damage to surrounding properties.
Tomovcsik said the severely damaged house was unstable after the fire. It was demolished for health and safety reasons on Friday following further investigation by the fire marshal, the chief said.
Originally published August 26, 2022.
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