Man confronts arson costs in a large fireplace that destroyed the historic constructing on the south aspect – CBS Pittsburgh

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man was arrested for the massive fire that destroyed a historic building on the south side in February.

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According to Pittsburgh police, a joint investigation between the city’s arson investigation unit and ATF led to the arrest of 25-year-old Christian Ross on multiple arson charges.

(Photo: KDKA photojournalist Ian Smith)

According to the criminal complaint, investigators said Ross was a former tenant who moved out of the building. On February 8, the day of the fire, investigators said Ross had been left behind to retrieve some belongings.

The investigator said Ross, who was not supervised getting his belongings, was caught on surveillance video on several floors of the building before leaving the back door with a suitcase. According to investigators, Ross confessed to starting the fire on May 12 and said he bought a flashlight to start the fire.

The criminal complaint said the first signs of fire came 16 minutes after Ross left the building.

District 3 councilor Bruce Kraus said the building on 11th Street and East Carson Street was built in 1874. Of course, being on East Carson Street, it was once a bar.

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The building, which is more than a hundred years old, has been restored with six apartments and two shops: a barber shop and the South Side Chamber of Commerce.

BREAKING -> The side of this building on East Carson Street just collapsed. We were just talking to people in the area who told me that the first floor was the Chamber of Commerce office and a barber shop. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/0aszpP5wgr

– Nicole Ford (@NicoleFordTV) February 8, 2021

The building partially collapsed after firefighters poured water over the building and it was later demolished. Nobody was injured.

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Ross is currently behind bars in Allegheny County Jail. Other charges in this case include nine criminal accident charges and number of disasters.

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