Man held for mental check after rural fires

Man held for mental check after rural fires

IMLER, Pa. (AP) — State police say a southwestern Pennsylvania man is undergoing a mental health evaluation after he confronted firefighters with a rifle when they came to extinguish three burning outbuildings on the man’s property.

Troopers from the Bedford barracks are not releasing the name of the 46-year-old man who reportedly held firefighters and police at bay for about four hours Monday. The incident began about 10:30 a.m. at an address on Burnt House Road in Imler, about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Police say the man was screaming obscenities and claimed the fires were part of a “controlled burn” he was conducting. Firefighters extinguished what remained of the buildings after the man surrendered to state troopers about 2:30 p.m.

Police say the man may be charged with reckless endangerment after more investigation.