A Mahanoy City man is locked up in Schuylkill County in connection with a fire in the borough late Thursday.
According to Mahanoy City Police, Brendon Hasara, 49, was arrested in connection with the fire that started around 9:30pm, Thursday in the 1000 Block of East Pine Street.
The fire took roughly an hour to bring under control, damaging 5 homes and leaving 5 people homeless and 8 total affected.
According to court records, as police responded to the fire, they were informed of a fight at the scene.
As police arrived on scene, Ptlm. Rachael Lenar found Hasara and a neighbor yelling and pushing each other in the middle of the street.
The other neighbors who witnessed the incident, reported to police that while the front door was open to 1017 East Pine Street, they saw Hasara light several pillows and couch cushions on fire in the living room.
Police say the homeowner of 1017 East Pine had called police earlier in the day asking for law enforcement to remove Hasara from the home. Police were later cancelled to that incident after Hasara agreed to leave on his own.
Mahanoy City Police charged Hasara with numerous felony arson charges along with felony causing a catastrophe, 5 counts of recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, and trespass.
Hasara was locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $150,000 straight cash bail.
The 5 fire victims are being assisted by the American Red Cross.