A western Pennsylvania man was accused of using an excavator to partially demolish his family’s home after a drunken argument with his wife escalated into destruction, according to police.

Authorities in Butler County said 48-year-old Erik Pierwsza damaged the rear section of the home while his wife and two daughters were still inside the residence. 

The destruction was extensive enough to compromise the structure of the house, according to investigators cited in reports.

Police said the incident began after Pierwsza returned home following a night of drinking and argued with his wife about their deteriorating marriage. During the confrontation, his wife allegedly told him she wanted to end the relationship.

According to charging documents cited by local media, Pierwsza responded by threatening to tear down the home before climbing into an excavator parked on the property and driving it into the house.

His wife later told investigators she could hear the machinery crashing through the structure while placing a frantic 911 call. 

No injuries were reported, but officials said the family narrowly avoided harm.