A call about a kitchen fire on Old Wattsburg Road turned into an investigation of guns, grenades and a homemade bomb Thursday evening.  Kuhl Hose was dispatched to a structure fire just after 4:30 in the 8900 block of Old Wattsburg Road, and called for the Pennsylvania State Police shortly after arrival

The 35-year-old man, who lived at the residence of the house fire, fled the home, drunk, after putting some circuit boards and wires in a pot on the stove and turning on the gas, state police said. He might also have placed guns or explosives throughout the house.  While his house smoked, a 15-year-old girl who had lived in the home until recently, arrived with her grandmother to pick up a few things, police said. She opened the door, saw smoke and her grandmother called 911.

The man's truck was weaving before almost hitting Chief Erbin's truck and then heading toward and crashing into a ditch. Chief Erbin got out of his truck identified himself, and asked the man if he was alright.  The man did not respond, Erbin turned the truck off and removed the keys to both secure the vehicle and keep the man from driving away.  The man threatened the Chief and struck him while he was moving back to his truck to call for additional units.  Just after returning to his truck the Structure fire was dispatched.  The fire was just blocks from the crash site.

On arrival Chief 680 reported smoke showing.  Incoming units attempting to make entry into the residence found a rifle sitting on a table, just inside the residence, pointed at the front door.  Crews did not enter through the door, they made entry through the front windows and extinguished the fire quickly.  The Pennsylvania State Police were called, and fire crews secured the scene until the State Police arrived.
 
But the man wasn't quite done. He found a spare key and tried to race back to his house before hitting a tree head-on. He was not seriously injured, but taken to the hospital for treatment.
The man was known to have two grenades in his possession as well as numerous guns, some of them believed to be illegal, said Cpl. Detective Lamont King with the state police crime unit.
 

Kuhl Hose units and the State Police waited for the Erie Bomb Squad. The Bomb squad initially did not find anything but continued there search into early Friday morning.
 

The man, whose name was not released, faced traffic violations and would be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The investigation will lead to additional charges, King said.
The kitchen fire caused minimal damage. A state police fire marshal also was investigating.  Kuhl Hose was assisted by Belle Valley, Perry Hiway, Brookside, and Kearsarge Fire Departments.