Police: Man armed with gun sets fire to home, shoots self

Firefighters from four counties were held at bay for nearly two hours as flames consumed early Thursday morning.

When the smoke cleared, police said the man who started the fire, Jeffry Hollowbush, was dead.

The fire at Hollowbush's home at 484 Oysterdale Rd. in Pike Twp., Berks Co., marked his second encounter with the law in mere hours. 

Pennsylvania state troopers had their first run in with Hollowbush, 62, Wednesday evening.

According to police documents, Hollowbush was arrested for DUI after he crashed his car into a pole in Rockland Twp.

"He was transported to [St. Joseph Medical Center] for testing," said Tpr. David Beohm.  "He called his estranged wife to come pick him up at St. Joe's.  On the way home, he'd made comments to his estranged wife that that he wanted to kill himself."

A short time later, authorities said Hollowbush made a phone call from his home to his 17-year-old daughter.

"He called his daughter and told her you got 15 minutes to come here and save my life," said Beohm. "The daughter comes to the house, the house is on fire.  She sees her dad.  His pants are on fire."

According to police reports, the girl saw her father standing in a basement doorway, the surrounding house already engulfed in flames.

"She's trying to call him out of the house.  She sees him carrying a shotgun.  He turns to walk away," Beohm recounted.  "She hears what sounds like a shotgun going off, and then the house is consumed by fire."

When firefighters arrived, state police said they heard the sound of ammunition rounds going off inside the house.  At the time, authorities said they were unsure whether Hollowbush was dead or alive.

Police later said it was likely the heat from the fire that caused the ammunition to explode.

Still, troopers held firefighters back for nearly two hours while the house and a nearby shed burned to the ground.

"They're firefighters," said Beohm.  "They're there to put out the fire, not take gunfire."

After the flames were doused, authorities found Hollowbush's body inside the home.

The Berks County Coroner's office determined Hollowbush died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Jeffry Hollowbush was the only person in the house at the time of the fire. No one else was injured.

Troopers said Hollowbush had recently lost his job and he and his wife were in the midst of a divorce.