A Seltzer man is facing arson charges for a fire that took place in the small community in Norwegian Township on Wednesday afternoon.
Around 3:00pm, Wednesday, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area of Main Street and Center Streets in Seltzer, Norwegian Township for a house fire.
As Pottsville units arrived on-scene, they found heavy fire in the double block home at 312 and 314 Main Street.
A man was reported to have been rescued from one of the homes prior to firefighters arriving.
High winds fed the flames which grew quickly and spread to the nearby 316 and 318 Main Street which eventually led to a stash of fireworks in one of the homes igniting and helping spread the fire even faster.
The exterior of the Seltzer Fire Company was also damaged from the flames blowing toward the firehouse next door at 320 Main Street.
Fire crews worked into the evening putting out hot spots with both homes being destroyed.
No injuries were reported but two dogs died in the fire.
The American Red Cross is assisting one adult male with food, clothing, and lodging after the fire.
The Pennsylvania State Police from the Schuylkill Haven Barracks were called to the scene to investigate and later announced the fire was being investigated as an arson.
On Wednesday evening, at 11:30pm, John Jefferson, 59, of Seltzer was taken into custody and arraigned on charges related to the incident.
UPDATE: State Police at Schuylkill Haven say Jefferson intentionally set his home at 312 Main Street on fire.
Jefferson was charged with 3 counts of arson, 3 counts of arson endangering a property, 3 counts of recklessly endangering another person, 2 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, and 4 counts of criminal mischief.
Jefferson was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail.