Pocono News Section

Scranton Man Arrested for Arson

Scranton Man Arrested for Arson - Friday, September 28, 2007 at 4:37PM EST

Reported by: Candice Grossklaus
Friday, Sep 28, 2007 @04:37pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A man from Scranton is facing several charges, including arson, in connection with two overnight fires on the city's north side.

Michael Rought, 25, was arraigned on those charges Friday.

Scranton police say he started fires on porches at two separate homes on Putnam Street in the city earlier Friday morning.

Rought was arrested a short time later, thanks to neighbors who noticed suspicious activity and notified police.

Pete Diano, a fire victim said, "I thought my pool chemicals had started themselves on fire but then I realized the chair that was on fire wasn't there last night, and my son's shoes were burning and it was set up next to the propane tank on the porch here. So somebody tried to blow my house up."

There were no injuries in either of the two fires.

Rought is now in jail on $100,000 bail.