Dunbar man held for court in arson case
A Dunbar man waived his preliminary hearing and will have his day in court after he allegedly destroyed a North Union Township business by fire in early September. Robert Lance Bunting, 33, of Dunbar waived the charge of arson Thursday before District Justice Deborah Kula after he allegedly set a Sept. 4 fire that destroyed New Generation Fiberglass Pools and a residential home along Route 51.
The late-night fire that swept through the structures and tied up emergency personnel from six fire companies gutted the business and home, owned by Uniontown businessman Bret Shallenberger.
Shallenberger has supplied area residents with recreational vehicles and swimming pools for about two years. He was not at the preliminary hearing.
State police fire marshall trooper William Large investigated the cause of the blaze and found cause to suspect arson in the 11:43 p.m. blaze at 1218 Pittsburgh Road.
Bunting, led into the district justice by state troopers, has been in the Fayette County Prison since the day after the blaze on a $100,000 bond when he confessed to burning the business and home.
Firefighters from West Leisenring, North Union Township, Hopwood, Smock, Dunbar and Farmington responded to the blaze in addition to Uniontown Firemen’s Ambulance, Allegheny Power officials and the state police responded to the scene.
Bunting was released following the waiver on a $25,000 unsecured bond, Kula said. A court date has not been set.