A Butler man is facing arson charges following a weekend fire in the city of Butler that ended up damaging two homes.
Butler City firefighters were called to a house fire in the 300 block of Broad Street early Saturday morning – about 6:30 a.m.
Flames were reportedly seen coming out of the windows of the home. Crews were able to get the fire under control in about an hour, but a neighboring home on Broad Street did suffer some minor damage.
No one was injured. The home where the fire started was vacant.
Through an investigation, Butler City Police arrested 24-year-old Victor Weltner of Butler and charged him with arson and burglary.
“A witness who discovered the fire and called 911 advised Butler City Police Lt. Brian Grooms that a man had been seen coming from the rear of the burning fire,” according to a press release from Butler City Police.
Officers believe Weltner broke into the house and set the kitchen curtains on fire. When police caught up with him, he allegedly smelled of smoke, had a cut on his left forearm, and was intoxicated.
“Upon completion of the investigation, it was determined Weltner had been intoxicated. He broke into the house, not knowing that it was unoccupied, by breaking a rear door window. Upon finding the house to be unoccupied, he spent a period of time inside before setting the curtains in the kitchen on fire. The fire spread rapidly, and Weltner fled from the house,” according to police.
Weltner remains in the Butler County Prison.
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