Police: Arsonist bragged 'I did it' as he watched fatal fire
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A house fire that killed a young child and two women in Pittsburgh was set by a man who smelled of gasoline and bragged "yep, I did it" as he watched the house burn, police said.
Pittsburgh police believe Martell Smith, 41, set the fire early Wednesday after getting into a bar fight with a relative of the victims who also lived at the home.
A witness told police he overheard Smith muttering "yep, yep, I did it," while fire crews battled the blaze around 2 a.m. Wednesday. The police complaint alleged Smith was also heard muttering "they made me do it."
None of those killed were involved in the bar fight earlier that night.
Smith is charged with three counts of homicide, along with arson and drug charges.