Penn Borough man accused of setting fire to his home

A Penn Borough man was charged Tuesday after he was accused of setting fire to his own home about a week prior, according to court documents.

Andy J. Broadway, 43, is charged with three counts of arson and other related offenses in connection with a fire that damaged his Victor Street home April 19.

Penn Borough Volunteer Fire Department was called to the residence for reports of heavy smoke billowing through the home’s second floor windows. The fire chief called state police to investigate what he called a suspicious structure fire, according to court documents.

Upon entering the home, the chief found Broadway lying under a blanket on the living room couch, appearing to be asleep. The chief awoke Broadway and told him to leave the residence.

A small fire was extinguished on the floor of the master bedroom, the chief told police.

State police later found remnants of paper and trash sitting atop a sheet of plywood on the bedroom floor in front of a dresser. The flames had burned through two sections of the plywood and charred the floor underneath, police said.

Police found several other areas in the bedroom, kitchen, basement and porch where other fires were previously set.

Broadway initially told police he was uncertain how the fire occurred because he was asleep when it started. After police noted remnants of ash on Broadway’s chest and neck, Broadway told police he sometimes burns papers containing important information to prevent other people from finding them.

Broadway also told police he occasionally burns food.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 13 at District Judge Mark Mansour’s office.

Broadway is being held in Westmoreland County Prison. Bail is set at $50,000.