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Bensalem, PA – Arson Suspect Arrested After Blaze Destroys Home and Endangers Residents

On Monday, February 10, at 5:22 a.m., Bensalem Township Police and the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dwelling fire on the 5200 block of Merganser Way. Fire services discovered six adult residents who had evacuated, some escaping from second-story windows. The fire resulted in the total loss of the two-story single-family dwelling, while two dogs perished and all six adults were hospitalized with injuries.

Investigation by Bensalem Fire Rescue and Bensalem Police Detectives revealed the fire was deliberately set. Surveillance footage captured a black sedan arriving at the scene at 5:01 a.m.; an individual is seen approaching the residence and returning to the car 15 minutes later. Following the suspect’s departure, smoke appeared from the rear yard followed by a large explosion. The surveillance provided investigators with an image of the black sedan.

Detectives utilized Automated License Plate Readers to trace the 2021 black Volkswagen Passat, registered to Brian Jones from Rockford, Michigan. The investigation revealed Harrison Jones, the ex-boyfriend of a planned visitor to the Merganser Way home