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| Female inmate charged with setting fire |
| By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |
| Published: 05/23/2005 |
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An Allegheny County (Pa.) woman has been charged with arson and assault after she allegedly started a fire in a cell at the Westmoreland County (Pa.) Prison. Amanda Michele Blair, 24, of 820 Capitol Drive, Apt. 617, Carnegie, is accused of setting fire to clothing, toilet paper, a laundry bag and a commissary bag 12:55 p.m. April 27 in a cell at the Hempfield Township jail. According to a criminal complaint filed by Westmoreland County Det. Richard Kranitz, Blair had been placed in a segregated cell just prior to the fire for causing a disturbance at mealtime and refusing orders. Once inside the cell, Blair removed some of her clothing and set it and the other items on fire with a contraband lighter she had hidden on her. When Corrections Officer Cynthia Hribal ordered Blair to stop and toss the lighter out of the cell, Blair allegedly told Hribal she "had nothing to lose" and threw the lit laundry bag at the officer. According to the affidavit, Blair attempted to set additional items of clothing ablaze until other officers emptied a fire extinguisher into the cell. Blair was subdued with handcuffs and shackles. Hribal suffered burns on her arm. Inmates in Blair's unit had to be evacuated because of the fire. In addition to arson and aggravated assault, Blair is charged with causing or risking a catastrophe, assault by a prisoner and criminal mischief. She faces a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Mark Mansour, of Hempfield Township. |
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