By Tribune-Review

Published: Friday, November 23, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Friday, November 23, 2012

An early morning fire in Bell Township is under investigation after the owner said he spotted a man running from the burning home.

Kiski state police called the fire “suspicious.” A fire marshal was called to investigate.

William “Tim” Lalor Jr. and his fiancee Mariah arrived at their Millstone Road home around 3 a.m. after dinner with family and friends to find the bedroom engulfed in flames, the senior Lalor, who owns the property, said. Mariah immediately ran to Lalor's adjacent property for help, he said.

“We kicked in the door when the fire department came with hoses,” Lalor said. “The arsonist was in the house and ran out the back door.”

Lalor, 64, said he and his son, 31, chased after the man and were able to tackle him. They held onto him until police arrived, Lalor said.

The home is salvageable, but Lalor estimated damage to be at least $35,000.

“I'm sitting here with a burned house right now,” Lalor said. “My only concern was that I saw my two kids. I saw they were safe and that's what really matters.”

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