Aug 25, 2006 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

After Uniontown patrolmen Eric Hanula and T.K. Kolencik observed Nathan DeWayne Kennedy sweating and acting suspicious at the scene of a house fire in the city Wednesday, the officers said they decided to question the Uniontown man. Less than 24 hours later, the 23-year-old, who remains on probation for a previous arson conviction, was in district court charged with arson, aggravated assault and simple assault before Magisterial District Judge Mark Blair.

The assault charges stem from an injury suffered by a Uniontown firefighter while battling the blaze Wednesday night at 129 Walnut Street, according to Uniontown Detective Donald “Butch” Gmitter.

Uniontown Fire Chief Myron Nypaver said the fire broke out at 8:57 p.m.

Fire crew remained on scene for more than three hours, Nypaver said Thursday, noting, “the home sustained heavy damage.”

Nypaver said about 10 minutes into trying to quell the burgeoning flames; firefighter Tom Kegg entered the second story of the home on a “suppression crew.” Nypaver said Kegg inadvertently touched exposed electrical wires and had to be taken to Uniontown Hospital, where he was treated for an accelerated heart rate.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Gmitter, officers discovered Kennedy outside the burning house Wednesday night.

Kennedy agreed to talk with police, and after being read his rights, admitted to setting the house on fire, Gmitter said.

Kennedy told Gmitter he set newspapers on fire at the house and then told the detective that he “needs help for his problem,” Gmitter said.

Kennedy told investigators he used a 20-ounce soda bottle filled with gasoline as an accelerant when he lit the newspapers in the front rooms of the vacant house, Gmitter said.

Kennedy told police he fled the scene after the house caught fire.

Gmitter said Kennedy’s statement to police corroborated with evidence discovered by the state police fire marshal.

Kennedy still is serving a four-year probationary term for arson and related offenses from 2002. He was one of three people charged with setting fire to a garage at the 125 Lincoln St. on May 27, 2002.

A state police fire marshal determined that someone intentionally set fire to garbage piled along the side of the garage.

During an interview with a Uniontown police detective, court records indicate that Kennedy acknowledged standing as a lookout while another man set the fire. He was charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson and criminal mischief.

Kennedy was ordered to make $250 in restitution to the owner of the home and $3,750 to the company that insured the house.

Kennedy was remanded to the Fayette County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bond. A preliminary hearing will held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday before Blair.