A Michigan man has been arrested after driving over 700 miles to set fire to a Pennsylvania home where a man had been communicating with his ex-girlfriend online. The incident occurred in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, where 21-year-old Harrison Jones, of Rockford, Mich., was taken into custody for setting fire to a home with six occupants inside.
The family's two dogs, Trey and Jett, tragically perished in the fire, while the residents were hospitalized after managing to escape the flames. Authorities praised the quick actions of the mother in evacuating her family, with some members having to jump from second-story windows to safety.
Investigations revealed that the fire was intentionally set, with surveillance footage capturing a suspect arriving at the home early in the morning and fleeing after the blaze erupted. Two days later, Jones was identified as the suspect and arrested, with apparent burns on his arm.
Officials disclosed that Jones had driven to Pennsylvania with the intent to harm the occupants of the house, as he was the ex-boyfriend of a woman involved in an online relationship with one of the residents. Jones faces charges of attempted homicide, arson, and related offenses.
The devastated family, identified as Andrew and Stacy Zalenski, along with their children and Stacy's parents, lost everything in the fire. Stacy's brave efforts to save their dogs were in vain, and the family is now dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the Zalenski family, who have endured significant challenges in recent years, including Stacy's battle with cancer. Additionally, a fundraiser with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society aims to honor the memory of Trey and Jett, the beloved dogs who lost their lives in the fire.
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn condemned the senseless act of violence, emphasizing that the family's losses were incomprehensible. The community has rallied around the Zalenski family, offering support and assistance during this difficult time.
