KARTHAUS TOWNSHIP – A 38-year-old Frenchville man, Jimmy L. McGonigal, was jailed for allegedly setting his Keewaydin Road mobile home on fire after a domestic incident Saturday, reported the state police at Clearfield.
According to state police, McGonigal and the victim allegedly engaged in a verbal argument. It allegedly turned physical when he threw a bowl of pasta at her. The victim left on foot to call 911 and to report the assault.
At that point, McGonigal exited and then re-entered the mobile for a short time. He then exited with two cans of beer and allegedly commented not to go inside because he just set the mobile home on fire, state police said.
The victim, however, walked into the mobile home and allegedly observed a fire. She yelled for help. Two known males heard her and went to see, and allegedly observed fire in two, different bedrooms. They were able to contain the fire and put it out prior to arrival of state police.
McGonigal was taken into custody Saturday night and lodged in the Clearfield County Jail. On Sunday he was arraigned on charges of arson, risking catastrophe, reckless endangering another person and harassment. His bail was set at $10,000 straight.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at the jail.