A 40-year-old man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after police say they found a gasoline can in his room at a Cranberry hotel and evacuated the fourth floor over the fumes. The incident happened shortly before 2 a.m. on a Monday at the Hampton Inn.
Police were called to the Hampton Inn on Pendleton Way at 1:44 a.m. after a guest reported a strong gasoline smell on the fourth floor, according to the Butler Eagle. Officers traced the odor to a partly open room and found 40-year-old Jerry Dimondo inside, ButlerRadio.com reported.
Police said they found a gasoline can in Dimondo's room. Guests on the floor were evacuated because of the possibility of an explosion and fire, according to ButlerRadio.com's report.
Charges Filed Against Southeastern Pennsylvania Man
Dimondo, who is from Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been charged in Butler County with felony risking catastrophe and misdemeanor reckless endangerment, according to ButlerRadio.com. The charges follow the evacuation of the occupied hotel floor.
Charging documents cited by ButlerRadio.com say Dimondo slammed and locked his room door after speaking with police; the floor was evacuated after that. The incident was reported as occurring on a Monday, but no calendar date was specified, and a preliminary hearing date has not been scheduled.
Fire-system testing in Cranberry Township
For broader local fire-safety context, Cranberry Township says fire systems must be tested by a third-party inspection agency, with annual testing for fire alarms and sprinkler systems and semi-annual testing for hood systems, according to Cranberry Township.
