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WYOMING — A man facing charges he assaulted police officers while firefighters battled a blaze at a laundromat is now charged with setting the fire.
Michael Inman, 29, was arraigned Thursday on allegations he set a fire in the basement of 8th Street Laundromat on Aug. 16.
Authorities allege a surveillance camera recorded Inman inside the laundromat attempting to open interior doors before he goes to the basement. When Inman reappears on camera, a plume of smoke coming from the basement is recorded, according to court records.
Inman was arrested at the scene of the blaze when he caused a disturbance demanding firefighters find his cell phone. After Inman was handcuffed, he was placed in the rear of a cruiser where he banged his head and kicked open a door that struck officers, court records say.
According to the criminal complaints:
Firefighters responded to the laundromat at 120 E. Eighth St. just after 12 a.m.
A second floor tenant escaped the fire and called 911 when his apartment filled with smoke.
Inman claimed he put clothes in a dryer and heard a loud “pop” and smoke began filling the room.
As firefighters battled the blaze, Inman demanded his cell phone be found and wanted his clothes.
Police said Inman rushed inside and confronted firefighters about the cell phone. A police officer chased after him in an attempt to get him outside when he rushed at the officer causing the officer to stumble into several machines.
Firefighters assisted in detaining Inman who was handcuffed and placed in a cruiser.
Police said Inman banged his head multiple times against a divider causing self-inflicted head injuries. He kicked the door that opened striking an officer in the shoulder and arm.
When the door was forced closed, an officer’s finger got caught in the door jam, the complaints say.
After the fire was extinguished, the business owner turned over video from surveillance cameras.
Police in the complaints say footage shows Inman appeared to be intoxicated as he stumbled inside the laundromat, falling to the floor. He attempted to open interior doors and went to the basement.
After six minutes, Inman reappears on camera emerging from the basement followed by a plume of smoke, the complaints say.
Police said no clothes were found in any of the dryers. A bag of clothes was found near the laundromat.
Inman was arrested at the scene for the alleged assaults on officers. He appeared before District Judge Donald Whittaker in Luzerne County Central Court where he waived his right to a preliminary hearing, sending charges of simple assault, institutional vandalism, disorderly conduct, obstructing emergency services and public drunkenness to county court.
Inman was also arraigned by Whittaker on allegations he set the blaze being charged with two counts of arson, and one count each of burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and risking a catastrophe. He remains free on $60,000 total unsecured bail and being monitored by pre-trial services.