A Waterloo man has been arrested on arson charges, for allegedly igniting a propane tank inside a home. Ronald Swartz was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree arson in connection with an incident that occurred last week.
On Friday, authorities were called to a Waterloo home on the report of a man who had intentionally set a propane tank on fire inside the house. Before firefighters arrived, an occupant of the home was able to put out the blaze, turn off the valve on the tank and get it out of the house.
An investigation later revealed that a dispute between Swartz and a woman led to the incident. Police say Swartz also brought another propane tank and four large jugs of kerosene into the home, with the apparent intentions of starting those on fire, as well.
However, the other tank and the jugs did not ignite. Swartz fled the home before police and firefighters arrived. He is now being held in the Black Hawk County Jail on $100,000 bond.