West Philadelphia man wanted in arson that trapped couple, damaged houses

A West Philadelphia man is accused of lighting a house fire that trapped two people earlier this month, and police are seeking the public's help to track him down.

After an investigation of the Dec. 17 arson at a house on Girard Avenue near 54th Street, police identified Shawn King, 43, as a suspect in the arson and obtained a warrant for his arrest. King's last known address is on Arch Street near 57th, police said, and he is known to frequent the area of 56th and Market streets. Once caught, he'll face charges including attempted murder and arson.

In the fire, police and firefighters were called to the house on Girard Avenue about 2:30 a.m. Dec. 17 for an explosion. When they arrived, police said, they found a "large fire" on the porch of a two-story rowhouse that trapped a man and woman who live there on the porch roof. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and rescue the pair, but not before it damaged the targeted house and the two houses next to it, police said.

The Fire Marshal and ATF Arson and Explosives Task Force determined the fire to be arson and later identified King as a suspect in setting the fire. Police did not say what motivated the arson.

King is described on a wanted flier from police as 5 feet 7, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on the right side of his chest.

Tipsters should contact the ATF Arson and Explosives Task Force at 215-446-7874.