A Pennsylvania man faces multiple criminal charges after allegedly setting fire to his stepbrother’s home with 10 people inside, forcing residents to jump from the second-floor roof to escape. Authorities say the fire could have led to catastrophic injuries or death.
Suspect and Charges
Anthony Mohamed, 37, is facing an extensive list of charges, including:
- Six counts of attempted criminal homicide
- Aggravated arson
- Arson causing danger of death or bodily injury
- Arson endangering property and causing reckless endangerment
- Risking catastrophe
- Burglary
- Criminal trespass
- Criminal mischief
- Nine counts of recklessly endangering another person
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the charges following a detailed investigation into the incident.
The Fire and Emergency Response
The fire occurred on March 29, just before 8 a.m., at a home on McCargo Street in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, northeast of Pittsburgh.
Firefighters reported a chaotic scene upon arrival. The fire had trapped residents on the second floor, making the staircases impassable due to heavy flames. Several people were forced to jump from the roof to escape the blaze.
New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba described the dramatic escape:
“The husband jumped off the roof, the wife threw the three kids down to him, he got them to safety, and when she jumped, she broke her leg.”
Neighbors also rushed to help the family, noting the intensity of the fire and the immediate danger:
“Flames were shooting out the window behind them as they were coming off the roof. I just jumped in, I just took off my robe, wrapped up the kids, and just tried to get them out of the street and away from the house because stuff started exploding.”
Up to 10 people were in the home at the time. Medics treated the children, who were reportedly safe, while the mother was treated for her broken leg.
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation to determine the cause and suspect:
- Surveillance footage from the neighborhood showed a man approaching the residence at 7:38 a.m., with smoke visible from a neighboring camera by 8:00 a.m.
- Detectives positively identified Anthony Mohamed as the suspect.
- A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal ruled that the fire was intentionally set using a direct flame device to ignite combustibles inside the structure.
- Investigators also collected evidence from the scene, including charred materials and debris from the fire.
Relationship Between Suspect and Victims
Anthony Mohamed is reportedly the stepbrother of one of the adults living in the home. Authorities say there was a prior dispute that may have motivated the attack.
The victims included a couple and their children. The mother sustained a broken leg, while the children were unharmed due to quick actions by the father and neighbors.
Eyewitness Accounts
Neighbors who witnessed the fire described the terrifying scene:
“People could not descend the staircase due to the heavy fire. The family was forced to jump from the roof. I ran out to help them because there were flames and explosions coming from the house.”
The community praised the firefighters and civilians who acted quickly to help the family escape, preventing what could have been a tragedy.
Flight and Arrest
After setting the fire, Mohamed reportedly fled the scene and remained at large for nearly two months. U.S. marshals eventually arrested him, bringing him into custody to face the numerous charges.
The victims expressed anger and frustration toward Mohamed:
“You tried to kill my children. You tried to take everything I have in this world from me. I hope that one day, when you’re sitting there rotting in your cell, that you realize that you did have something to lose,” said the stepbrother’s partner.
Court Proceedings
Anthony Mohamed is expected to appear in court on June 2. Authorities have stated that the charges reflect the seriousness of endangering multiple lives and the intentional nature of the arson.
The investigation highlighted both the immediate danger to the family and the deliberate actions of Mohamed, who reportedly intended to harm his stepbrother’s household.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
Westmoreland County officials praised the rapid response by fire crews and neighbors, emphasizing that:
“Intentional fires put entire families and neighborhoods at risk. Authorities will aggressively pursue anyone who endangers lives through arson or related crimes.”
The case also serves as a reminder of the importance of neighborhood vigilance and the role of bystanders in preventing loss of life during emergencies.
