MCCANDLESS, Pa. — A man is facing arson charges connected to a fire at a duplex that happened in McCandless.
Police were responding to a separate call at the duplex for reports of a man attacking a woman with a broom at 605 Westchester Drive. When they got there they saw smoke and flames coming from the second-story window of 607 Westchester Drive, the neighboring residence of the duplex.
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Court documents say Eugene Julian Twardesky, 54, admitted to lighting a blanket on fire with a lighter at the scene.
Police said he did this after getting into an argument with another duplex tenant. During that dispute, he allegedly attacked the other tenant with a broom. That woman had to be taken to a hospital.
Two dogs died in the fire.
Twardesky was taken to the Allegheny County Jail after being evaluated at UPMC Mercy Hospital.
He faces aggravated assault, aggravated cruelty to animals, arson and causing or risking catastrophe charges.
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