Murrysville man charged with arson in restaurant fire
May 18—A Murrysville man was arrested Tuesday on arson charges in connection with a weekend fire that destroyed a landmark restaurant along Route 22.
Murrysville police Chief Tom Seefeld said Brian Paul Lucas, 43, confessed to starting the fire at Spaghetti & Steakhouse and Hot Rod Lounge early Saturday after authorities found him sleeping inside a vehicle at a nearby car dealership. Surveillance footage showed a man running around the burning restaurant and then walking across the highway to Jim Shorkey Chevrolet, according to court papers.
Lucas was denied bail.
The restaurant that had been around for 50 years went up in flames about 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Nearly 12 hours later, police were called to Shorkey Chevrolet across Route 22 for a reported vehicle break-in, Seefeld said.
Investigators found two private vehicles, one of which Lucas was sleeping inside, had been damaged. Lucas is accused of breaking into one of the vehicles and igniting papers with a lighter. There was major damage to the 2015 Dodge Durango, and some of its parts were scattered across the parking lot, Seefeld said.
Lucas is charged with reckless burning, theft, drug possession and related offenses in that case. Investigators said Lucas took prescription medication from one of the vehicles and hid it in his rectum.
Police detectives interviewed Lucas about the restaurant fire, and Seefeld said he admitted to starting the blaze.
"He stated he was angry and drugs were affecting his behavior," according to court papers.
Lucas is charged with arson, burglary, risking catastrophe and related offenses. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. He was being held in the Westmoreland County Prison.
Only charred portions of the outer walls of the two-story Spaghetti & Steakhouse that was once a popular family restaurant and tavern were left standing. In addition to homemade spaghetti, the restaurant featured homemade ravioli and gnocchi and sauce made from scratch.
The restaurant originally was owned by Fran and Joe DeNastasio. Monica Meehan purchased it in 1989. She could not be reached for comment.
A message posted on the restaurant's Facebook page expressed thanks to responding firefighters and for "the outpouring of love and support from our community during this difficult time. We are in shock and we are devastated but thankful no one was hurt in this tragedy.
"We don't know what's next for our family, but we know (we) will make it through — because that's what we do."
Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .
