JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY--- Johnstown Detectives charged James McDonald with arson after they said he started a massive fire Thanksgiving night. It happened shortly after nine thirty in the 600 block of Coleman Avenue in the city's Moxham neighborhood. Police Chief Craig Foust said McDonald eventually admitted to police he started the fire.
"He apparently had some issues with the people who lived in the house adjacent to the one that was set on fire," said Foust.
In the criminal complaint it states that McDonald first told detectives he may have left a lit cigarette on the back porch but later admitted he started a fire using boxes, an old mattress and a couch.
The fire left ten families homeless and caused damage to neighboring homes. McDonald is currently in jail on previous charges stemming from an assault.
At the end of the affidavit police state McDonald told them he left a bible in the area of the fire and said a prayer before he started it.
"He apparently had some issues with the people who lived in the house adjacent to the one that was set on fire," said Foust.
In the criminal complaint it states that McDonald first told detectives he may have left a lit cigarette on the back porch but later admitted he started a fire using boxes, an old mattress and a couch.
The fire left ten families homeless and caused damage to neighboring homes. McDonald is currently in jail on previous charges stemming from an assault.
At the end of the affidavit police state McDonald told them he left a bible in the area of the fire and said a prayer before he started it.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.