NORTH BEAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. --
A six-foot alligator rescued in an abandoned school on fire in Lawrence County may have also started the blaze.
The blaze began at the former Mount Jackson Elementary School, along Edinburgh Road, in North Beaver Township, near New Castle.
Authorities said the man who owns the property, Brian Simpson, was living with a menagerie of animals in the building, including the alligator, about 70 rabbits and unspecified "aquatic animals."
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is involved in caring for the animal.
Fire Chief Paul Henry said the building's owner believes the alligator started the fire by knocking over a portable heater. Firefighters removed the animal, but only after taping its mouth shut.
"I basically got on top of it," said Wes Osborne, of Crit-R-Done Wildlife Control. "One of the fellows in there had already handled it a little bit by the tail, and we were able to duct-tape it to keep anybody from getting bit."
Simpson wouldn't talk to Channel 11 News except to say he wanted the news crew off his land.
Neighbors said they've been complaining about the rundown property for years.
"My concerns are the hazard to children that play in the neighborhood," said neighbor Missy Argiro. "It's an eyesore, obviously. I've known that he's had animals in there for many years. We can hear dogs barking every night."
The Fish and Game Commission said no laws were broken, so they're turning all the animals back over to the owner.
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