Herminie man charged with arson in September fire at his residence

State police believe a Herminie man set the house where he was living on fire during an argument, according to court papers.

Timothy James Gillin, 50, was arrested last week on arson and related charges.

In court papers, a state police fire marshal said witnesses reported Gillin left the house Sept. 26 during the argument with three people and came back with a gas can. He is accused of pouring a liquid in the can onto the kitchen cabinets, walls and floor before igniting it, police said.

A man who was rescued from a second-floor bedroom of the Sewickley Township home by firefighters was taken to a hospital by medical helicopter. Three others who were inside the house were able to escape. It was unclear from court papers if Gillin was hurt or able to escape.

Fire officials said the flames, contained to the kitchen area, were quickly extinguished. The house is along the main street of village of Herminie.

Gillin is free on $25,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 23. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A message left at a number for him was not immediately returned.