PSP: Somerset County man jailed for lighting shed on fire, risking catastrophe

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Somerset County man is behind bars after police said he lit a shed on fire early Thursday morning.

James Tunstall, 39, of Acosta, is facing charges for risking catastrophe after crews responded to a shed fire.

Around 12:48 a.m. on July 11, troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police were called to assist with a residential fire. Officers arrived and noted in the complaint that the shed was mostly burned to ash and was still engulfed in fire. They also saw a fence, which was about 20-30 feet away, melted and on fire, along with a large tree.

According to the affidavit, troopers said there were other items in a pile near the shed where the fire appeared to have started, including a large motorcycle, wood, metal and other items. Fire officials alerted police they had responded to the residence before for burning complaints, but they never received compliance.

Police spoke with the homeowner who related they were having issues with a relative, Tunstall, who was living with them. Charges show that Tunstall had been acting erratic and burning items constantly, according to the relative’s conversation with police. They also told police they believed Tunstall was on drugs.

Troopers met with Tunstall in an upstairs bedroom where police said he was agitated and argumentative, so he was detained. According to the criminal complaint, Tunstall’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy and his clothes were covered in soot/ash and he smelled like smoke.

After speaking with Tunstall, officers spoke with a neighbor, who was also a victim. The victim’s residence connects with Tunstall’s and she told police she was having ongoing issues with him carelessly burning things at all hours. Police noted that this included burning large items near her property and leaving them unattended at all hours of the day and night.

The victim told officers that she saw smoke and flames coming from Tunstall’s yard and watched him burning items, including her vinyl fence.

Police believe after Tunstall lit the fire, he left to go to sleep. Officers added in the complaint that if the victim had not seen the fire, the fire could have spread to her residence and caused serious damage and risk of injury.

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Tunstall is currently in the Somerset County Jail on $10,000 bail. He is charged with a felony count of risking catastrophe, misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and a summary office of reckless burning.

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