Arrest Made in Center City Arson Fire

An arrest was made in an arson fire that tore through a series of buildings in Philadelphia's Gayborhood in mid-September, causing around $1 million in damage.

Stephen Pettiway, 52, of Philadelphia, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and charged with federal arson, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Philadelphia Field Division. Pettiway was allegedly captured in several surveillance images that were taken during the arson fire, which damaged a restaurant that was under construction.

Dozens of fire victims in Center City are waiting to see if they have a home to return to, after a fire engulfed a portion of a city block near 13th and Chancellor Streets.

The fire started around 4:30 a.m. Sept. 15 inside a restaurant construction site at 13th and Chancellor streets. The blaze then spread to The Gramercy and The Chancellor apartment buildings, causing minor damage. Residents of The Gramercy and The Chancellor were evacuated as a precaution.

Center City Fire Photos

The fire reached three alarms before around 100 firefighters got it under control around 6:15 a.m. Investigators later determined the fire was intentionally set.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a fire that began at a Center City restaurant early Tuesday morning.