Man charged in Connellsville arson
CONNELLSVILLE – An East Fairview Avenue man is in jail after he allegedly set fire to a neighboring residence where his wife was staying with other family members. Ronald “Milo” Flynn, 45, of 237 1/2 E. Fairview Ave. was arraigned early Sunday before District Justice Ronald Haggerty after being charged by Connellsville police with felony counts of arson, burglary, criminal trespass and risking catastrophe.
He faces an Aug. 28 preliminary hearing in the matter.
According to the affidavit filed by Connellsville patrolman Steve Shaffer, Flynn admitted to entering the second floor bedroom of the 246 Rear E. Fairview Ave. home, pouring lighter fluid throughout the room and then igniting it with his butane lighter.
Connellsville Fire Department Chief Joe Childs said personnel from New Haven Volunteer Hose Company and Connellsville Township Volunteer Fire Company responded Saturday to the 8:20 p.m. blaze that gutted the two-story frame residence.
Childs said Monday that most of the upper level was heavily damaged by the blaze with the first floor being severely damaged by the water used to douse the fire.
Nine people were listed as occupying the three-bedroom home, including Flynn’s wife, Sandra Flynn, along with Kathy Travis, Charles Travis, Dale McBryan, Kim McBryan, Kayla McBryan, Ivy McBryan, Dale McBryan Jr. and Christopher McBryan.
No one was injured in the blaze.
Flynn, meanwhile, was taken to the county prison after failing to post the $10,000 straight cash imposed by Haggerty.