A Plum, Pennsylvania man, Neil Andrew Yetsko, is facing serious charges after police allege he attempted to orchestrate the explosion of his home by creating a natural gas leak, leaving behind two lit candles before going out of town, as per a criminal complaint, TribLIVE reported.
Yetsko, 39, has been charged with risking a catastrophe, three counts of criminal attempt of arson, as well as recklessly endangering another person – the charges stem from an incident on November 16, when Yetsko supposedly went out of town after allegedly orchestrating the gas leak, the smell of which alarmed neighbors who initially suspected People’s Gas to be at fault before details emerged suggesting his possible culpability, this according to WPXI.
Following a call the next day from Yetsko reporting the gas leak, People's Gas crews arrived at the scene to find two candles burning and a noticeable odor of gas. Their quick action in shutting down the gas and electrical power averted what could have been another tragic explosion in a community that has not forgotten a deadly event that claimed six lives last August, as detailed in the complaint and cited by TribLIVE.
Investigators found inconsistencies in Yetsko's explanations about the leak and his subsequent actions. During interviews, his story changed multiple times. He allegedly said he hoped the house would explode with him in it following an episode of frustration: " Literally heard the gas leaking, then I sat down on the floor for about an hour hoping that house would explode with me in it," Yetsko said, according to police and reported by TribLIVE.
Yetsko, who has not yet been arraigned as of yesterday morning and does not have an attorney listed in court records, had neighbors like Alivia Cooper express shock and disbelief over the incident as she and her family initially feared for their safety, Cooper, as per WPXI, stating, "He could have killed my family," and describing Yetsko as a friend who had previously been a guest at parties and holiday celebrations in the neighborhood.
