Man blames dog for apartment fire, gets charged with arson

(CBS/AP) LILLY, Pa. - Telling the teacher your dog ate your homework is one thing.

Telling the police your dog started the fire in your apartment is worse...especially if you started it yourself.

Authorities in Cresson Township, Pa. say that's what 58-year-old John Saparo did.

The western Pennsylvania man who blamed his dog for causing a fire in his apartment last summer has been jailed on charges that he set the blaze, instead.

The suspected arsonist allegedly told officers he was cleaning and had several fans running when his dog knocked over one of the fans, sparking the fire.

Saparo is jailed on arson and other charges and is scheduled for a June 20 hearing.