SCRANTON, Pa. — Myer Carter sought to cool down a heated dispute Friday and was nearly set on fire for his efforts, city police said.
Now, a roommate who allegedly poured lighter fluid on the Scranton man is facing charges.
That roommate, Robert McKnight, is held at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is charged in a criminal complaint with aggravated assault, possessing incendiary material with the intent of committing arson, terroristic threats, simple assault and criminal mischief.
The incident began as McKnight, 55, fought with his girlfriend late last week at their Ash Street home in Scranton.
Carter tried to deescalate the situation and helped McKnight's girlfriend grab her belongings and leave. That, however, made McKnight irate with Carter, according to an affidavit.
McKnight threatened to "shoot him" and "light him on fire," charging documents allege. Carter ignored his roommate and tried to go to sleep.
Later on, before dawn Friday morning, Carter woke to McKnight pouring lighter fluid on him.
"I told you I'm going to light you on fire," McKnight said as he produced a plastic lighter, according to the complaint.
McKnight's lighter sparked but did not ignite. Carter grabbed for his phone but McKnight smashed it against the floor.
Carter managed to escape the home and headed toward Regional Hospital of Scranton, where he contacted police.
Officers arrested McKnight without any trouble. McKnight denied the allegations when police questioned him. Court filings do not reflect has an attorney.
During a search of the home, they found his lighter, a bottle of lighter fluid and Carter's damaged phone. Carter's bed was also covered in lighter fluid.
McKnight is tentatively scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday.
