A marriage breakdown in the US has allegedly led to a shocking scene, with a large section of a family home destroyed in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Local reports say 48-year-old Eric Pierwsza used an excavator to tear into the rear of the property after a night of drinking and a heated argument with his wife. Investigators believe the damage was so extensive it may have affected the structural integrity of the entire house.

According to CBS News, the confrontation began after Mr Pierwsza’s wife reportedly told him their marriage was over. He allegedly replied, “If it’s over, I’ll tear the house down.”

Authorities say he then did exactly that.

Police allege Mr Pierwsza got into the excavator and began smashing into the home while his wife and two daughters were still inside. During his wife’s desperate 911 call, the noise of the machine tearing through the walls could reportedly be heard in the background.

Investigators say that once the destruction ended, Mr Pierwsza went back into the house, collected a gym bag and left for town. He was later found and taken into custody by police.

He has since been arrested and is facing multiple charges, including causing a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. Court documents also show his wife intended to seek a protection-from-abuse order after the incident.

Neighbours told local outlet KDKA-TV they were struggling to make sense of how events spiralled so dramatically. One neighbour told CBS News he would “like to know what she said to him because I’ll make sure I don’t say it.”

He added, “Forty-two years I’ve been married, but I’ve never threatened to tear the house down.”

The bizarre incident also sparked plenty of reaction online, with many people questioning how someone could be arrested for damaging their own property.

“How does he get arrested for tearing down his own house?” one person asked.

Another wrote, “Well, no one ever accused him of not following through on his word.”

Others took aim at the fallout from the alleged rampage. “I don’t think insurance will cover that one,” one user said, while another quipped, “Wondering who’ll get the house in the divorce?”

A further comment summed up many people’s disbelief: “How did the fight get to this point of tearing down your house just to prove a point?”

Mr Pierwsza is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on June 9.