Woman started Turtle Creek apartment fire because she was "tired" of landlord and neighbors, police say
TURTLE CREEK, Pa. (KDKA) — A Turtle Creek woman was charged with starting an apartment fire because she was "tired" of her landlord and neighbors, according to court paperwork.
Allegheny County police said 55-year-old Cynthia Grayson is facing multiple charges, including arson and recklessly endangering another person after a fire at an apartment building on Lynn Avenue in Turtle Creek on Thursday.
Police said the Turtle Creek Fire Department arrived at the scene and found two of the apartments occupied. Grayson and a family of four were inside at the time, but none of them were injured, officials said.
Allegheny County police said their investigations unit was requested, and detectives initiated an investigation in coordination with the fire marshal's office.
Through evidence discovered at the scene, police said the fire marshal's office learned the fire was "incendiary in nature." Investigators said they smelled a strong scent of gasoline and found an oily substance in one of the apartments.
Through interviews, police said they learned Grayson started the fire. Police said Grayson was the sole occupant of one apartment and a family of four was inside the other apartment when she started the fire.
According to the criminal complaint, Grayson admitted to starting the fire with a milk jug of gasoline.
"Grayson explained that she was tired of the landlord not doing anything to fix her problems and that she was tired of her neighbors always fighting," police said.
Grayson is in the Allegheny County Jail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 14.
