Vacant Monessen house destroyed by arson
A vacant Monessen house was destroyed by fire Wednesday after it was saturated by accelerants, officials said.
“The floor was all burned out, and there is just the shell of a building standing there now,” said Monessen fire Chief Chris Rhome.
The fire was ruled an arson by a state police fire marshal, he said.
Rhome said firefighters first responded to the 900 Maple Ave. house at about 10:15 p.m. for a porch fire and discovered gasoline and motor oil poured throughout the interior of the house and on the exterior.
Firefighters returned for a fire at about 3:30 a.m., when the house was fully engulfed in flames.
Rhome said firefighters worked to protect a neighboring occupied structure, which was not damaged.
He said accelerants cause more danger to firefighters because those fires burn hotter. Aluminum melts at 1,200 degrees, he said, and the gutters on the house melted.
No injuries were reported.
North Belle Vernon, Carroll Township, Washington Township and two Rostraver Township departments assisted at the scene.