(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to officials, a man was taken into custody after barricading himself inside a home and setting a fire in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood on Saturday. Pittsburgh police and fire crews were dispatched around 11:45 a.m. to the 1500 block of Ballinger Street for a reported structure fire. Police confirm that a relative called 911 and reported that a man inside the home was threatening to set it on fire. Authorities state that the caller told dispatchers that during a FaceTime call, the man poured lighter fluid throughout the residence. When officers arrived, they found the man barricaded inside the home. A police negotiator made contact and the man eventually surrendered without incident. Officers found two firearms on the suspect and observed smoke and flames that wereg coming from a doorway. Firefighters then entered the home and extinguished the fire. Officials noted that the residence sustained moderate damage throughout and is considered a loss. No civilians or first responders were injured. The man was transported to police headquarters for further questioning and is expected to face charges. Authorities statedg that one cat died as a result of the fire, and one dog was rescued from the backyard. The American Red Cross is assisting the remaining residents who are staying with their relatives.