January 27th, 2008 - Kittanning Borough, Armstrong County, PA -- Crews from Kittanning Hose Cos. 1, 4 and 6 (stations 110, 120 and 130) responded to a structure fire at 1822 Johnston Avenue, Kittanning Borough, at 9:44 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.

Initial reports from a passerby put the fire in the 1400 block, and firefighters were unable to locate the fire for several minutes. A second call to Armstrong 911 gave the correct address as most units were enroute to the scene.

Fire heavily damaged the interior of the duplex, which was being remodeled into a single family house. Fire crews returned from the call at 12:45 p.m.

The state police fire marshal and Kittanning Borough fire marshal determined the fire was arson and on Jan. 31, police arrested Edward John Velez, 39, of 1501 Orr Ave., Kittanning.

Kittanning police said Velez had his 14-year-old stepson, whom they did not identify, use a newspaper to light a pile of wood on fire in a second-floor bedroom of the house.

Police said the teen's mother, who had recently moved out of the house, reported that the teen told her Velez wanted to set the fire in order to collect insurance money to remodel the house. The structure had been a duplex and was being converted into a single home, police said.

Police said the teen told officers that Velez offered to buy him an ATV or motorcycle with a portion of the insurance money as reward for starting the fire.

Velez was arraigned by District Judge James Owen on two counts of arson and one count each of criminal mischief, risking a catastrophe, reckless endangerment, and criminal solicitation. He is being held in the Armstrong County Jail on $75,000 cash bond.

Police said Velez could face additional charges. No charges were being filed against the teen, police said.

Fire crews from West Kittanning (station 240) and Rayburn Township (station 260) were also called to the scene. Ford City Fire Department (station 90) was placed on standby.

Story by Patrick Shuster, Courtesy of the Leader Times Newspaper, Kittanning