Cause of Monessen fires ruled arson
MONESSEN – Two fires Monday at abandoned structures in Monessen have been ruled arson, the city’s fire chief said.
The first fire was reported at 2:06 p.m. in a two-story house at 517 10th St., Chief Chris Rhome said.
The second fire was discovered at 9:51 p.m. in a garage in an alley between 10th and Division streets, he said.
Rhome said it was too early to say whether a serial arsonist is at work in the Westmoreland County city in the Mon Valley.
“I’m hoping not. It’s hard to say,” Rhome said.
No one was injured at either blaze.
Rhome said he planned to wait until the state police fire marshal and city police finish their investigations before he drew any more conclusions about the fires.
Firefighters from Charleroi and Belle Vernon and Carroll and Rostraver townships assisted city firefighters at the blazes.