Allentown man wanted on arson charges in fire before Thanksgiving

Allentown police filed arson and related charges against a 65-year-old man who they say started a fire that destroyed two homes a day before Thanksgiving Day.

Daniel Wade Barry, of the 500 block of E. Hamilton St., is wanted on charges of arson, risking a catastrophe, and criminal mis chief or intent to damage proper ty and dozens of charges of rec kless endangerment. Online court records indicate that Barry has not been arraigned on the allegations.

The charges were filed with District Judge Michael D’ A more’ s office Monday. Allentown police said they made arrangements for Barry to be arraigned Tuesday. According to court records: Allentown firefighters and police responded at 7:39 a.m. Nov. 25 to a fire at a twin home at 526 and 528 E. Hamilton St. with initial reports that two people were trapped inside. Four adults and three children who were in 526 E. Hamilton St. escaped; authorities initially had a hard time finding the man who lived next door at 528 E. Hamilton St., where the fire began.

The fire rose to three alarms before being knocked down. It required about 35 firefighters roughly 90 minutes to bring it under control. Authorities estimated the fire caused about $86,000 in damages.

Allentown fire Marsh al Michael Achey determined the blaze started on the first floor of 528 E. Hamilton St. and was intentionally lit.

By 8:49 a.m., Allentown police found Barry, who lived at 528 E. Hamilton, walking several blocks away. He appeared to have blood on his clothing and injuries to his hands. Barry was acting erratically and was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for a mental health evaluation.

Barry several times told paramedics that he lit his house on fire.

Allentown police learned from Nationwide Insurance on Dec. 1 that Barry called his insurance company to tell it he lit his house on fire. The statement was made on a recorded phone line.

On Dec. 7, Allentown police reviewed security footage of Barry from the home of a neighbor, where he is seen on his porch igniting a rag or piece of paper. He seems to put it inside the home through a window and can be seen looking into his residence through the front door. Smoke begins pouring out of the open door. Barry props the door open and, within seconds, the camera’s view is completely obscured by thick, dark smoke.