PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police are searching for a West Philadelphia man they say set fire to an abandoned home with gallons of gasoline inside.
Authorities say Darren Arnold sparked the fire inside a home on 59th Street, near Arch Street, last Monday night — and Tuesday morning.
When firefighters put out the fire Monday, they found more than 150 single-gallon milk containers filled with fuel and quickly called in a hazmat crew to remove all the jugs.
But the home was again set on fire Tuesday morning, and police questioned 37-year-old Arnold, about both incidents. They say he would come and go inside the home, which looked abandoned. However, at the time, they said, there wasn’t enough evidence to charge anyone.
Over the weekend, firefighters were called to the home again.
Arnold now faces arson and related charges. It is unclear why the gallons of fuel were inside the home.
Police are asking anyone with any information about Arnold's whereabouts to submit a tip via text or telephone, dial 215-686-8477, or submit a tip online.
Editor’s update, July 3, 2024
Darren Arnold was charged with two counts of risking catastrophe, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and possession of an instrument in a crime, but all charges were later tossed by prosecutors. However, the judge agreed they could be brought back.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said, “The DAO intends to file a motion lifting the Nolle Pros after encountering significant issues with witnesses who were uncooperative or experiencing health issues and other hardships; another witness appears ready to cooperate and participate, hence the reason why our office is filing the motion. We fully intend to prosecute this case should the Nolle Pros be lifted by the Judge.”