Bucks County Man Denies Setting Mall Fire That Burned His Hands

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. (CBS) -- A Bucks county chiropractor was on the stand today in his own arson trial, denying he caused the fire and explosion that destroyed his office -- and the Mountain View strip mall it was in -- and caused burns to his own hands and face.

John Wiktorchik has admitted he had lied for months when he claimed he wasn't there and that he suffered the burns from a wood stove at a religious retreat.

But now, he says, he went to the office in the middle of the night because he "felt something" -- and once there he was confronted by three unidentified Hispanic males who assaulted him, threatened his family, and blew up the place.

After the explosion, Wikctorchik says, went back to the retreat, threw out his clothes, and went with the lie because he was afraid.

Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060.