By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man remains behind bars days after he was charged with setting fire to his girlfriend’s apartment after a break-up.

Rescuers were unable to save the family dog, which died in the fire.

The Salisbury Police Department charged Marvin Denzel Pruitt, 23, of the 500 block of Cedar Street, with felony first-degree arson after the fire. He has since been charged with felony cruelty to animals.

Police say that on June 14, Pruitt went to his girlfriend’s place at Regency Court Apartments complex, at 1100 W. Fisher St., and told his former girlfriend’s mother that he needed to get some items inside. Before going to an upstairs bedroom, Pruitt asked the mother for a lighter. He had a cigarillo in his mouth so she gave him a lighter, according to a detective.

Pruitt went upstairs and left with some items. A few moments later, the mother smelled smoke, she told police.

A neighbor, Male Harris, told the Post that he and his brother was smoke coming from Apartment 14 and went to see if they could help. Harris said the mother told him her pit bull, Bella, was still inside. Harris said he tried to coax the dog out, but the dog was scared. Harris said he had to back out of the apartment when the smoke became too thick for him.

Pruitt was held under a 48-hour domestic hold. He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $30,000 secured bond.