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Man pleads guilty in struggle with firefighters

GREENSBURG (AP) — A man accused of fighting with firefighters who were trying to put out a blaze at his smoke-filled home has been ordered to spend two years on probation.

Donald Panepinto Jr., 48, was sentenced after pleading guilty Monday to five counts of reckless endangerment as well as obstructing emergency services. Other charges including aggravated assault were dismissed.

Westmoreland County prosecutors said he pushed past firefighters to re-enter the home in July 2016 to look for a cat.

Authorities allege that he threw a firefighting tool and fire helmets from a second-story balcony onto the people below.

Panepinto said in court that his actions had brought embarrassment to his family.

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