SMETHPORT — A Shinglehouse man was arraigned Monday on allegations that he had broken into a garage in Annin Township, living there until he was forced out by a fire.

George Harrier Jr., 66, of Honeoye Street, is charged with criminal trespass — break into structure, a second-degree felony; criminal trespass — enter structure, a third-degree felony; criminal trespass — simple trespasser, a summary; and dangerous burning, a summary.

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 19, at 7:02 a.m., police were notified of a garage fire at a residence on Champlin Hill Road in Annin Township. When police arrived, a bystander said the person who had been in the garage was in her car trying to stay warm. The person, Harrier, said he was the only person in the building, but his dogs didn’t make it out. He told police his “feet were burned pretty badly.”

When police asked if it was his property, he said he was in the process of buying it and had come there the previous night to stay. He said he was using a kerosene heater, which he believed had started the fire. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, and transported to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y., for further treatment, the complaint stated.

On Oct. 19, police spoke to the owner of the property, who said Harrier did not have permission to be there and wasn’t buying it. The owner said he would have had to move several items out of the way to get inside the garage, the complaint stated.

Police had contacted the hospital to speak to Harrier, but he was unable to speak to them because of the extent of his medical treatment, the complaint stated. Police told the hospital to have Harrier contact them when he was able.

As of Jan. 24, police had not heard from him, and requested a warrant for his arrest.

He was arraigned Monday before District Judge Bill Todd and remanded to jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. He is scheduled for Central Court on Feb. 15.