Pittsburgh man accused of starting 6 fires in 3 days

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Pittsburgh man is facing charges after police say he intentionally set multiple fires over three days.

In a Facebook post, the Allegheny County Police Department said David Harknett, 41, of Pittsburgh, faces a list of charges including aggravated arson, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property of stolen property and recklessly endangering others in connection with the incidents.

Police said Harknett was arrested after intentionally setting fire to the former Hooters restaurant on William Penn Highway in Wilkins Township Thursday morning. After investigating, police said they determined the 41-year-old man was responsible for a series of other fires in Allegheny County since Tuesday.

Police said he intentionally set fire to Christ the Divine Shephard Parish in Monroeville Thursday morning. A priest had to go to hospital after inhaling smoke.

Harknett is also accused of intentionally setting fires to four vehicles throughout Allegheny County on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office was tasked with investigating all six reported fires and determined that each fire was incendiary in nature,” the Facebook post said.

One of the vehicles allegedly attacked by Harknett belongs to Jeffrey James. The center console of his truck is burned, the headliner has melted and the interior is covered in soot.

“It’s really surreal,” James said.

The criminal complaint says Harknett told officers he “has always been fascinated by fire and it excited him.” He told detectives “I did it,” referring to the fire on William Penn Highway, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint says that while at church, Harknett believes he entered a priest's office and lit a robe on fire. He also told investigators he saw firefighters trying to put out the fire in the bushes in his parents' backyard.

Allegheny County police added that the man was accused Tuesday of stealing multiple vehicles from the Jefferson Hills Police Department.

Harknett was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. He faces 43 charges.