PA Man Allegedly Burned Home to Pay Divorce Settlement

We all know divorces can take a toll on your wallet, your relationships and your children. For one Lawrence County man however, it may have taken a toll on his sanity.

According to WTAE News and the office of the Attorney General, Timothy McConahy is facing charges that he set his house on fire to collect the insurance money, instead of selling it and paying his ex-wife.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators determined the fire was intentionally set after they found a light in the garage covered in gas soaked rags and gasoline-soaked walls.

After the fire, McConahy filed an insurance claim for over $160,000.

According to the Attorney General’s office, McConahy’s home was for sale due to a divorce settlement that stated that the home had to be sold as a marital asset. Prosecutors stated that, as part of the divorce, any proceeds from the sale of the home were to be paid to McConahy’s ex-wife.

McConahy is facing two counts of arson, along with charges for insurance fraud and theft by deception.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 5^th.