Authorities probe New Castle blaze

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Firefighters and the state fire marshall are investigating the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a two-story Morton Street house.
Assistant Chief Joe Bongivengo estimated loss at about $25,000 to the rental home he valued at about $50,000. He said the fire started in the dining room but did not know the cause.
Bongivengo said the renter of the house at 8221/2 Morton St., Jason Smock, and the occupants of the house next door were outside and flames were shooting out the dining room windows when firefighters arrived around 3:11 p.m. Wednesday. There were no injuries reported.
The dining room was fully engulfed and the fire was going up the stairs to the second floor.