An Irwin man is facing a felony charge of risking a catastrophe for allegedly opening a gas valve on his stove and lighting a cigarette because he was angry with his neighbor.
Irwin police filed charges of causing or risking a catastrophe, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct against George Goras, 48, of 100 Western Ave., Apt. 708, for allegedly attempting to cause an explosion and fire on the seventh floor of Irwin Manor High Rise, where he lived.
According to the affidavit filed in the office of District Justice Martha Medich, of North Huntingdon Township, Irwin police received a call for a suicide attempt in an apartment where a man had barricaded himself and turned on the gas in his stove because he was upset with another resident.
Patrolman Joseph K. Pocsatko, who responded to the call, reported he smelled natural gas when he approached Goras' apartment. Once he was able to enter the unit, the officer said he had to step over laundry baskets of clothing the suspect had placed in front of him in a "makeshift barricade." Pocsatko said Goras then grabbed a cigarette, lit it, then looked at the officer and said, "This should kill me."
The officer ordered Goras to extinguish the cigarette, but the man initially refused. Goras then relented, the officer said, and threw the cigarette into a tin container and put a lid over it.
At that time, Shawn Stitely, Irwin Volunteer Fire Department's assistant chief, arrived and was able to turn off the valve and ventilate the unit.
"This act placed myself, Assistant Chief Shawn Stitely and numerous residents in the building at risk of death or serious injury and caused serious inconvenience. It also risked widespread damage to the seventh floor and those entering the building because he intended to cause substantial harm to himself and others," Pocsatko said.
Police requested an ambulance to take Goras to Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg for an involuntary mental evaluation. On the following day, Pocsatko said, he attended a hearing to decide whether Goras needed further treatment. At that time, the suspect consented to further treatment and remained in the mental health unit, the officer said.
Goras will be served with a warrant for the charges upon his release from the hospital and will face a preliminary hearing before Medich.
