A mother who was rescued from her burning home early Monday morning intentionally started the fire in an attempt to kill herself and her two young children, police said yesterday.
Terra M. Lynn, 36, was having problems with a pending divorce, Allegheny County Police Lt. Jeffrey Korczyk said.
"She made no attempt to leave the house after the fire was started," Korczyk said.
Korczyk said detectives noticed a strong smell of gasoline on Lynn's clothing when they were talking with her at West Penn Hospital, where she and her 8-year-old son were treated for smoke inhalation.
Her 11-year-old daughter suffered burns to her feet.
A police dog detected an accelerant — believed to be gasoline or kerosene — at the scene.
Lynn did not have a viable story and implicated herself early on, Korczyk said. She was arraigned on several charges and placed in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $75,000 straight cash bond. She was to undergo a behavioral evaluation.
The children are now in the custody of their father.
Korczyk said the fire was ignited in several locations in the basement and second floor of the house at 1106 Bakerstown Road. The fire was reported around 1 a.m.
Summit Hose Assistant Fire Chief Michael Remper, the first to arrive, said he saw fire coming from the basement and second floor and heard the children screaming from upstairs.
Remper said he ran through flames to get to Lynn and her children, grabbed them and handed the kids to Brackenridge police Officer Mike Duffy.
Remper, a father of an 8-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, said it was heartbreaking to hear that Lynn allegedly started the fire.
"I've been thinking a lot about it and what could've happened to me. I could've died myself," he said. "I'm still happy we got everybody out safe. That's all I cared about."
Duffy said he was disappointed to learn the fire was an alleged arson, but is happy that the kids are OK and Lynn can get help.
"I didn't know her intentions," he said. "It still doesn't change the fact we had to do what we had to do. I'm glad we got them out of the house."
"I've been hearing the word 'hero,' and I don't want to be called hero," Duffy said. "It's just part of the job."
A female tenant in the basement of the building escaped unharmed.
Lynn is charged with three counts of criminal attempted homicide and recklessly endangering another person, two counts of endangering the welfare of children and one count each of arson, criminal mischief, and risking a catastrophe.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18 before District Judge Carolyn Bengel in Brackenridge.
The investigation was handled by Allegheny County Police, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office and Tarentum Police.
