A man is accused of setting a fire that spread to a number of homes Thursday night in Allentown, according to police.
Santos Mota-Ramirez was arraigned Friday morning on charges alleging he assaulted a woman and trapped another resident inside his home when he started a fire there.
Mota-Ramirez, 60, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated arson and causing catastrophe, which are felonies, as well as a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person.
Charging documents state police were called to a home in the 700 block of Cedar Street about 4:30 p.m. Thursday for a report of an assault. When they arrived, they found a woman outside with visible redness on her neck and face, according to court documents.
Investigators determined that before the fire, Mota-Ramirez tried to stab her, charging documents state. She fled the home to call police. He told authorities he was trying to stab her to death, according to court documents.
Police went into the home and found Mota-Ramirez in the kitchen, and an active fire could be seen behind him, according to charging documents. A woman was inside the basement at the time the fire was set, police said. She did not have time to flee before the fire took over the first floor, court documents state.
Firefighters had to rescue the resident from the home. That person was hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation. Police detained Mota-Ramirez at the scene.
The fire spread to six adjoining houses, according to police. Several people had to be evacuated from their homes. Mota-Ramirez admitted to starting the fire, charging documents state.
The three-alarm fire prompted a large response Thursday night from first responders.
Allentown Fire Department said in a news release that the fire went to three alarms just before 5 p.m. All on-duty firefighters were called to the fire, which was declared under control about 7 p.m. Crews remained on scene until 10:45 p.m.
Fire officials said three civilians were taken to the hospital. Fire Capt. Michael Pychinka said the woman rescued from the basement is in critical condition. Seven total structures were affected, and the fire displaced 30 people, according to the release.
The Red Cross helped 12 people who were affected by the fire, according to Red Cross spokesperson Nicole Roschella. She said the Red Cross will continue to help those affected in the coming days to work on a long-term recovery plan.
Whitehall, Woodlawn and Greenawalds fire services helped Allentown Fire Department at the scene.
The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Friday that the incident remains under investigation, and additional charges have not been ruled out.
Mota-Ramirez was sent to Lehigh County Jail on $750,000 bail.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
