Police: W. Pa. man blamed dog for apartment arson

[June 14, 2012]  LILLY, Pa. (AP) -- A western Pennsylvania man who blamed his dog for causing an apartment fire has been jailed on charges that he set the blaze himself.

The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown reports Wednesday that Cresson Township police have charged 58-year-old John Saparo with setting the July 12 fire, though police have yet to specify how.

What police did say is that they've determined the fire didn't start the way Saparo claimed. He allegedly told officers he was cleaning and had several fans running when his dog knock over one of the fans, which, somehow, started the fire.

Saparo remains in the Cambria County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing June 20 on arson and related charges. Online court records don't list an attorney for him.

___

Information from: The Tribune-Democrat, http://www.tribune-democrat.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.