Man Accused of Blowing Up His Own Home While Family was Inside

A Pennsylvania man has been arrested years after investigators say he intentionally caused a massive explosion at his own home while his family was inside.

Jacob Rabb, 41, was taken into custody on March 9 and is now facing 25 criminal charges, including attempted homicide, aggravated arson and criminal mischief, according to Allegheny County court records.

Authorities say the explosion happened on April 22, 2022, at a home in Plum, Pennsylvania.

Investigators believe Rabb disconnected the gas line to the home’s dryer, allowing natural gas to fill the house until it eventually exploded.

At the time of the blast, Rabb, his girlfriend and three young children — ages 11, 6 and 2 — were inside the house. All of them managed to escape, though the family’s oldest son suffered first-degree burns.

According to investigators, Rabb told police he and his girlfriend woke up to the ceiling collapsing during the explosion and claimed he did not notice any gas smell beforehand.

However, the couple’s oldest son told authorities he had smelled gas while he was in the basement playing video games shortly before the explosion.

Investigators also discovered unusually high gas usage at the home in the days leading up to the blast.

More than a year after the explosion, the investigation took another disturbing turn.

In May 2023, Rabb’s girlfriend filed for a protection-from-abuse order against him. Shortly afterward, she reportedly discovered handwritten notes in her home that investigators believe were written by Rabb.

According to the criminal complaint, the notes allegedly read, “P.S. I did blow up the house” and “If I can’t have her, no one will.”

A month later, Rabb was arrested again after his former girlfriend told police he broke into her home, threatened to kill her and held a knife to her throat.

During questioning, investigators say Rabb admitted to disconnecting a gas valve at the woman’s home but did not confess to causing the earlier explosion.

Fire officials later ruled the 2022 blast was arson, saying it was caused by natural gas vapors that were intentionally released by manipulating a gas line.

Authorities say it’s remarkable that anyone survived the explosion.

“It’s amazing they survived this incident,” Holiday Park Fire Department Chief James Sim said.

Rabb is currently being held without bail because authorities say he poses a threat to the alleged victim, witnesses and the community.

Court records show his next court appearance is scheduled for March 18.