Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The 59-year-old charged with leaving his mentally challenged son alone, which authorities say lead to massive fire at Racquet Club apartments, will go to trial.
Hugh McKavanagh waived one count of misdemeanor child endangerment to common pleas court Wednesday afternoon.
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Following a brief appearance before District Judge Daniel Baranoski, a state trooper was called in to give McKavanagh a portable breathalyzer test. The judge smelled alcohol on the 59-year-old’s breath, much like at his arraignment. McKavanagh was found to have a low blood alcohol level (below .08) Wednesday and his waiver was deemed admissible.
According to police, the fire marshal’s office determined the 16-year-old boy – whose name LevittownNow.com is withholding because he is a minor – caused the fire when he emptied an ashtray with hot embers into the kitchen trash in an effort to help clean up. From there, a fire started and ended up engulfing the large B building in the apartment complex, authorities say. The man’s 16-year-old son functions at the level of a child aged four and six years.
McKavanagh left his son alone in apartment B-20 and was drinking beer and chatting at a nearby friend’s unit in the large apartment complex, according to an affidavit of probable cause. It is noted in court papers that McKavanagh’s apartment was visible from the friend’s apartment, which was in C building.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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According to police, McKavanagh and friends decided they would go to Parx Casino in Bensalem. The 59-year-old wanted to change clothes and walked back toward his apartment. He noticed, according to statements given to police, there was a fire and he rushed to rescue his son, but he was unable to enter because of the smoke and flames, according to court papers.
The 16-year-old boy, with the help of McKavanagh’s friends jumped from the second floor balcony, police said. He was taken to St. Mary Medical Center and treated for an arm injury and smoke inhalation, while his father suffered burns to his feet and was transported for treatment.
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A medic who arrived to treat McKavanagh said he was drinking alcohol outside the C building as the massive fire raged on and staff at the hospital he was taken said the 59-year-old admitted to consuming an average of a half case of beer a day, according to court documents.
Police said a detective spoke with McKavanagh at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia several hours after the fire; the smell the alcohol on McKavanagh’s breath was picked up by that detective.
McKavanagh has several prior arrest dating back to the 1970s. It was announced in court that one prior was for assault and the other for arson. He also has a 2008 DUI arrest.
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Court records show McKavanagh is currently free on 10 percent of $15,000. He said in court he is living at the Comfort Inn in Bristol Township.
Related:
- Cause of Massive Fire Revealed, Man Charged
- PHOTOS & VIDEO: 4-Alarm Fire at Racquet Club Apartments
- WATCH: Helmet Cam Footage & Scanner Traffic from Racquet Club Fire
- Levittown Heroes Receive Standing Ovation
- Young Racquet Club Residents Honored for Extreme Heroism
- Baseball Card Collection Found in Fire Rubble
- Despite Loss, Fire Victims Feel ‘Blessed”
- Donations Pour in for Fire Victims
- Overhead Images Show Extent of Fire Damage
- 4-Alarm Fire Investigation Ongoing; 4 Hurt
- Young Boy Springs Into Action, Saves Residents in Racquet Club Blaze
- Perspectives From the Fire at Racquet Club Apartments
