Police file charges against inmate responsible for Allegheny County Jail fire

Megan Swift | Friday, December 8, 2023 8:19 p.m.

Exterior of Allegheny County Jail.

An Allegheny County Jail inmate was charged Friday after a fire in an air vent inside his cell, county police said.

Brian Leach, 49, was charged with one count of criminal mischief and three counts of recklessly endangering another person.

The fire happened Monday in Leach’s cell, detectives determined, and it was contained to an air vent inside his cell, but it prompted an evacuation of the unit.

Three people — one inmate and two correctional officers — were hospitalized for evaluation following the incident due to smoke inhalation. Another inmatewas treated at the jail.