A Kutztown area man who drenched himself with gasoline and set fire to his house Saturday morning, injuring at least one firefighter, has been charged with arson and attempted homicide, authorities said Thursday.
John M. Sekerak, 46, of the 15000 block of Kutztown Road, Route 222 in Maxatawny Township, started the fire and put propane tanks in his two-story brick house about 11:30 a.m., according to state police at Reading. Early emergency radio reports from the scene indicated that a man was pouring gasoline on himself. Fire officials later radioed that the man was threatening to hurt firefighters who approached his burning house.