Michigan man drives over 700 miles to set fire to home of man talking to ex
A Michigan man has been arrested after police said he drove over 700 miles to set fire to the Pennsylvania home of a man who had communicated with his ex-girlfriend online. The Bensalem Police Department said 21-year-old Harrison Jones, of Rockford, Mich., was arrested for setting fire to a home with six people inside. The people inside were hospitalized, while the family’s two dogs, Trey and Jett, were unable to escape the home and died.
The incident took place in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, where the family of six was lucky to escape thanks to the quick thinking of the mother. She heard suspicious noises, discovered the fire, and managed to evacuate her family in time. Some family members had to jump out of second-story windows to escape the flames. “It’s a miracle they all survived,” said Bensalem Public Safety Director William McVey during a press conference.
Bensalem Fire Rescue and Bensalem Police Detectives investigated the cause of the fire and determined that it was intentionally set. The only lead in the case was a grainy image of a black sedan from a neighbor’s surveillance system. The video captured a suspect exiting the vehicle, approaching the back of the home, and eventually fleeing the scene before the house went up in flames.
Two days after the fire, investigators were able to trace the vehicle back to Jones, who was subsequently arrested in Michigan. Jones, who had apparent burns on his arm, is the ex-boyfriend of a woman who had been in an online relationship with a male resident of the Bensalem house. Court documents revealed that Jones drove to Bensalem with “murderous intentions” after learning about the online communication between his ex-girlfriend and the man.
Jones is facing charges of attempted homicide, arson, and related offenses. He is awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania to face trial. The family affected by the fire, identified as Andrew and Stacy Zalenski, along with their children and Stacy’s parents, lost everything in the blaze. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family during this difficult time.
The family member who created the GoFundMe page shared that the Zalenski family has been through a lot in recent years, with Stacy battling cancer and now facing the loss of their home and beloved pets. The community has come together to support the family, with donations pouring in to help them rebuild their lives.
In addition to the GoFundMe, a fundraiser has been started with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society to honor the memory of Trey and Jett, the family’s dogs who perished in the fire. PAWS plans to dedicate a plaque in their honor, recognizing their heroism. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn condemned Jones’ actions, calling them incomprehensible, and promising that he will be held accountable for his crimes.
The Zalenski family’s story is a tragic reminder of the impact of arson and the importance of community support in times of crisis. As they work to rebuild their lives, they are grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, family, and strangers alike. The road to recovery will be long, but with the help of their community, they hope to find healing and justice in the aftermath of this devastating event.
