Suspicious Monessen fire damages two houses
A suspicious fire damaged an occupied residence early Sunday and quickly spread to a second house, displacing a family of five.
A state police fire marshal was called to determine the cause of the fire at 710 6th St., which started at about 2:45 a.m. and consumed the house where one man was living. The blaze ignited a family home at 708 6th St. No injuries were reported.
Monessen fire Chief Chris Rhome said officials initially thought the first house was unoccupied. He did not specify what made the fire suspicious, but said utilities were on in the home. That house was destroyed, and the neighboring residence was badly damaged.
“It would take quite a few dollars to make it habitable again,” he said.
Monessen fire department was assisted on the scene by Charleroi, Carroll Township, Belle Vernon, Washington Township, Donora and Rostraver Central fire departments.
Rhome commended his crew and the assisting departments for their quick work in extinguishing the fire before it caused further damage.
“With the fire load that we had, they extinguished it very quickly, and most importantly, everyone got out safe,” he said.