Castle Shannon man accused of causing house explosion, fire that kills daughter, injures wife and firefighter

A Castle Shannon man is accused of causing a house explosion and fire that killed his daughter and injured his wife and a volunteer firefighter Sunday morning.

Allegheny County Police charged Brian Jeffrey Shelleby, 46, with homicide, arson and causing or risking a catastrophe.

The explosion and fire in the 800 block of Corbett Drive was reported shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday. First responders arrived to find the house engulfed in flames.

Lakyn Shelleby, 19, had been trapped inside. She was unresponsive when firefighters found her and was pronounced dead at the scene, county police said. Her mother, Carly Shelleby, and Castle Shannon firefighter Joseph Pantanella were injured.

Pantanella suffered from heavy smoke inhalation and was taken to UPMC Mercy, police said.

According to a criminal complaint, Brian Shelleby told Carly Shelleby that he was going to burn the house down after she told him he could not stay there because they were separated.

In an interview at a hospital, Carly Shelleby told police she soon after heard liquid being poured in the garage and then saw Brian Shelleby pouring gasoline as he came up the stairs and throughout the first floor, the complaint states.

Carly Shelleby said she screamed for Lakyn to get out of the house, and ran out herself after Lakyn responded to her, the complaint states. Carly Shelleby said that as she ran out of the house, it exploded into flames.

Castle Shannon police detained Brian Shelleby at the scene. In an interview with police, he admitted to causing the explosion and fire, the complaint states.

Brian Shelleby said he was trying to convince Carly Shelleby to let him stay, but she did not want him there and said he had to leave.

Brian Shelleby said he grabbed a full 5-gallon gas can in the garage, pouring out about half in the basement and garage and the rest on the steps to the first floor and through the living room, dining room and kitchen, the complaint states. He said he then went through the garage and threw the gas can out to the driveway, which is when the house exploded.

Brian Shelleby was denied bail and being held in the Allegheny County Jail, according to court records. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26.

Julia Burdelski and Brian Rittmeyer are TribLive staff writers. Julia can be reached at jburdelski@triblive.com. Brian can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.