An Altoona man was charged with arson, risking a catastrophe, and reckless endangerment after allegedly setting a chair on fire while singing “Burning Down the House.” Arrested on Sunday was 43-year-old Martin Haigh. Haigh was arrested after police found him in a smoke-filled home, on the 1200 block of 15th Avenue early Sunday morning. Once arrested Haigh reportedly told police he was trying to burn the chair because it was dirty, but it fell out of the fireplace. Haigh is being held on $1 million bail at Blair County Prison, with a preliminary hearing set for April 1.
Tuesday 24th March 2026
