Drunk Roommate Sets Montco Apartment On Fire After Fight: Cops

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — An Abington man has been charged with arson and attempted murder after lighting his apartment on fire while his roommate was inside, police said.

The incident occurred on July 12 at around 12:07 a.m. at an apartment on the 1700 block of Old York Road.

Stephen Swift had been drunk and had gotten into an altercation with his roommate, authorities said. During the fight, Swift told his roommate that he was going to kill him.

He then lit the apartment on fire and fled the scene.

The victim called 911 and when first responders arrived they found the fire in the hallway, trapping the resident in his bedroom. An officer was able to reach the room and guide the victim to safety.

Abington Fire Company arrived shortly thereafter and extinguished the blaze.

No injuries were reported.

Swift returned to the apartment the next morning and was swiftly arrested.

Bail was set at $500,000 and he was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.