Police: Masontown man tries to burn house with wife, 6 kids inside
A Masontown man allegedly tried to burn his house down with his wife and six young children inside early Wednesday.
Joshua L. Sanders, 32, of 225 S. Water St. reportedly threatened, “I’m going to burn the whole house down with everyone in it, and I don’t care,” according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
His wife, Jessica Sanders, and their six children — ages 8, 7, 5, 4, 3 and 1½ — were inside when he allegedly started the fire just before 5:30 a.m. No injuries were reported from the fire.
The woman was able to escape the house and call 911, hiding outside. She told Masontown police her husband began fighting with her when she came home from work at 12:30 a.m. He allegedly pushed her, grabbed her and threatened to kill her multiple times. She repeatedly asked him to leave, saying she was sorry for talking to a man, according to court paperwork.
Police said he “destroyed” the house, breaking furniture and glass, flipping tables, kicked the bottom of a door in and flipped an entertainment stand.
“You’re going to die. I hope it was all worth it,” he was quoted as saying to his wife in the affidavit.
He allegedly took her cellphone and threatened to break it. He reportedly drank a six-pack of beer through the night.
Sanders allegedly lit curtains with a lighter twice, the second time setting a fire in five places. She put the fire out, taking the curtains into the bathroom, where police found them in the bathtub. He reportedly pinned her to the sink in the bathroom saying, “I’m going to kill you, I swear on everything.”
Sanders is charged with arson and six counts each of attempted homicide, aggravated arson, endangering the welfare of children, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person.
He was arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. Shimshock, who set bail at $300,000. Sanders remains in the Fayette County lockup in lieu of bond.