New Castle man faces arson charge

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — An East Englewood Avenue man is charged with arson and recklessly endangering another person after a fire started at his home.

City police said they found a red gas can inside 135 E. Englewood Ave. after firefighters put out a blaze on an enclosed porch of the home.

Police said authorities were called by a female resident sleeping upstairs who was awakened by her dog and then smelled smoke at 5:23 a.m. Jan. 9.

Police said after an investigation they learned that Robert Morrison, 42, who also lived in the home, called his estranged wife over in an effort to reconcile. The two argued. Police said Morrison then hit the woman in the face with his first, hit her with a lamp and threatened to kill her.

Police said Morrison left the room and returned with a fire extinguisher and told her to leave because the house was on fire. He then discharged the extinguisher on the woman, police said.