A Butler man is accused of threatening to blow up himself, a woman and a dog with a propane tank, and assaulting a woman Sunday, July 6, in Summit Township.

James Saffell, 52, was charged with one felony count each of aggravated assault and strangulation; and one misdemeanor count each of terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, simple assault and disorderly conduct following the incident.

Police allege Saffell brought a lighter and opened a propane tank in the living room of a residence on two occasions and threatened to blow up himself, a woman and a dog. The woman told police she could smell propane and did not feel safe with Saffell.

Saffell reportedly fled the scene when police were called.

Police said they responded to the residence and found the woman with bruising to her forearms, face and neck. The woman told police the injuries occurred over the previous few days and 911 was called after Saffell escaped the residence and ran to a nearby business.

Police said Saffell struck the woman in the lip and forehead with a cellphone, leaving a swollen lump on her forehead and swollen cut on her lip, grabbed the woman repeatedly by the forearms, leaving the bruises and held a pillow over the woman’s face, restricting her breathing and leaving a large red mark on her chest and neck.

Police were unable to contact Saffell after he fled.

His preliminary hearing before District Judge Lewis Stoughton is yet to be scheduled.