Third Monessen fire in two weeks determined accidental
After two fires in Monessen were ruled as arson by a state police fire marshal, a third fire that appeared suspicious was ruled accidental.
Monessen fire Chief Chris Rhome said a vacant structure at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 19 Aliquippa Ave. was damaged, but not destroyed in the fire.
He said it appears suspicious activity was occurring in the abandoned structure. A fire marshal determined the blaze was not caused by arson.
Two other structures caught fire Jan. 2, which were both determined to be caused by arson, he said.
The first structure, a vacant house at 517 10th Street, caught fire at about 2 p.m. He said it appears that house may be salvageable.
A four-car garage, owned by a neighboring resident, caught fire just before 10 p.m. He said the garage was destroyed. It is located in an alleyway behind Knox Avenue.
No injuries were reported in any of the fires.