Harry J. Collins, 57, of Connellsville, was charged with setting a fire Feb. 23 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Connellsville, about 35 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The fire, which was started by setting a garbage bag on fire, burned a church door and caused smoke damage, police said.
Collins, a handyman who did odd jobs around the town, was linked to the fire by a witness and police officer who said they saw him near the church before and after the fire as well as a surveillance camera at a nearby convenience store, police said.
Collins was charged with setting just one fire, said Connellsville police Chief Stephen Cooper, but he said, ''We have not been able to rule Mr. Collins out as a person of interest in the other fires.''
Police have said they believe more than one person is responsible for the string of arsons.
Collins, who was charged with risking a catastrophe and arson, said he was innocent as he was being led away from a police station this afternoon.
''I am not the arsonist of Connellsville,'' he said.
