Additional Coverage:
- Michigan man drives over 700 miles, sets fire to home of man who communicated with his ex: officials (foxnews.com)
Bensalem, PA— A Michigan man allegedly drove over 700 miles to set fire to a Pennsylvania home, sending six residents to the hospital and killing two family dogs. 21-year-old Harrison Jones of Rockford, Michigan is now facing attempted homicide and arson charges.
Police say Jones targeted the home of a man who had been communicating online with Jones’s ex-girlfriend. The six occupants, identified as the Zalenski and Wendowski families, escaped thanks to the quick actions of Stacy Zalenski, who heard suspicious noises and alerted her family. Some family members were forced to jump from second-story windows.
Bensalem Public Safety Director William McVey called their survival a miracle. He praised the mother’s bravery in saving her family. Tragically, the family’s two dogs, Trey and Jett, perished in the blaze.
Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. Grainy surveillance footage from a neighbor’s camera showed a suspect arriving at the home around 5 a.m., spending time at the back of the house, and fleeing shortly before an explosion.
Within two days, authorities traced the vehicle back to Jones and arrested him. He reportedly had burns on his arm.
While the online relationship between the resident and Jones’ ex-girlfriend has been confirmed, the exact motive remains under investigation. Court documents suggest Jones was supposed to drive his ex-girlfriend to meet the man but instead drove alone with, as authorities put it, “murderous intentions.”
The Zalenski and Wendowski families lost everything in the fire, a devastating blow after Stacy Zalenski’s recent battle with cancer. A GoFundMe page has been established to support the family.
A separate fundraiser has been set up with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society to honor Trey and Jett, with plans for a dedicated kennel plaque in their memory. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn vowed to hold Jones accountable for the “inconceivable loss” suffered by the family.
Jones is currently awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.