US man drives over 700 miles to set ablaze house of guy who spoke to his ex-girlfriend: Report

Officials said that the mother alerted everyone in the nick of time and evacuated the family. Some had to jump out of windows on the second floor.

A man from Michigan has been arrested after he set the house of a Pennsylvania man ablaze for communicating with his ex-girlfriend.

According to a report by Fox News, the Bensalem Police Department said that Harrison Jones (21), who drove for over 700 miles to work out his crime, was arrested for setting a house ablaze with six people inside at the time.

The people inside the house managed to escape in time and are hospitalised. They are being treated for smoke inhalation, but the family's two dogs - Trey and Jett - died in the fire.

Officials said that the people could escape in the nick of time, thanks to the mother who noticed suspicious sounds before noticing the fire.

They also said that the mother alerted and evacuated the family. Some had to jump out of windows on the second floor.

According to Fox News, in a press conference on Monday Bensalem Public Safety Director William McVey said, "It’s a miracle they all survived. And we credit the mother of that house for taking the actions she did to protect her family and ensure that they all lived."

Upon investigation, it was found by the Bensalem Fire Rescue and police officers that the fire appeared to be set intentionally.

A camera footage from a neighbour's surveillance system revealed that a black sedan was seen outside the house at around five in the morning.

The video footage showed the suspect stepping out of the car, walking towards the back of the house and staying there for over 10 minutes.

Later, he is seen running away from the house and driving off in the car and after about 30 seconds an explosion occurs setting the house ablaze.

The probe led to tracing the black vehicle to Jones two days after the incident and an arrest warrant was obtained to take him into custody.

Apparently, it was found that Jones had burns on his arms.

Officials have also confirmed that Jones is the ex-boyfriend of a woman from Michigan who had been in an online relationship with a man in Bensalem.

According to another report by the publication, Director of Public Safety for the Bensalem Township Police Department William McVey said, "He drove over 730 miles, 11 hours, to do what he did and then drove directly back home."

Jones has been charged with six counts of attempted homicide, arson and related offences, officials said.