New Castle firefighters battle two blazes
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City firefighters battled blazes at two houses.
Firefighters said a blaze at a vacant South Jefferson Street house early this morning is suspicious. The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal has been called to investigate the fire that did about $10,000 worth of damage to 1319 S. Jefferson St. The home is owned by Gerald and Lori Hulick of Ellwood Road, said Fire Chief James Donston. Donston said the blaze started at 2:54 a.m. on the back porch and extended into the first-floor kitchen area and the outside of the two-story house.
Firefighters were called to another blaze at about 2 p.m. Tuesday at 110 North Lee Avenue. Donston said the fire is considered accidental, but the exact cause has not yet been determined. The home is owned by Mark and Krista Bowser of Fort Campbell, Ky. Donston said Helen Dasseau and her teen-age sons, Brian and Bill Payne, live in the house and had left about a half hour before the blaze started. There was heat and smoke damage throughout the house, and the fire chief estimated damage at $40,000. The Dasseaus are being assisted by the American Red Cross.