Police: Man sets house on fire, leads police on high-speed chase

An early-morning house fire in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, has escalated into an arson investigation, resulting in the arrest of 26-year-old William Kurtz. Police allege that Kurtz intentionally set a home on fire in the 1100 block of 2nd Street using gasoline and subsequently fled the scene, leading officers on a high-speed chase.

The incident began just after 1 a.m. when residents inside the home noticed flames and quickly evacuated. One resident attempted to extinguish the fire with buckets of water and a fire extinguisher before fire crews arrived. Fortunately, all ten individuals inside managed to escape without injury.

Authorities swiftly identified Kurtz as a suspect. After fleeing the scene in his truck, he was spotted at a nearby Sheetz. Instead of stopping for police, he accelerated towards Harrisburg, eventually abandoning his vehicle and running into a wooded area commonly referred to as "Tent City." Officers struggled to apprehend him and resorted to using a taser multiple times.

Kurtz now faces over 50 charges, including arson and evading law enforcement. In a statement following his arrest, he confessed to setting the fire but claimed he intended to scare the occupants rather than harm them, citing a personal dispute over money owed to him.

During the investigation, officers discovered an open bottle of vodka and a single-shot shotgun in Kurtz's truck, raising concerns about his state during the incident. The case highlights the severity of the situation, both regarding the fire itself and the potential for violence associated with his actions.