Man allegedly sets Lackawanna County Government Center on fire

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A 35-year-old man is in custody after police say he started a fire in the Lackawanna County Government Center.

According to the Scranton Police Department, on Tuesday the Lackawanna Communication Center called the Scranton Fire and Police Department for a smell of smoke coming from inside the building.

Police say surveillance footage showed 35-year-old Paul Howard Strope as a suspect in the cause of the fire.

The release states the smoke traveled to the Lackawanna County Government Center’s HVAC system into the conference room where a meeting was taking place, causing an evacuation of the building.

Due to the nature and location of the fire, an investigation was established to determine the cause of the fire to be suspicious and a case of arson, officials say.

Strope was charged with arson, risking catastrophe, and reckless endangering another person.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.