Fire ruins house; cause not known

SHARON, Pa. -- Fire of undetermined origin gutted a vacant two-story house at 358 North St. about 11 p.m. Saturday.
Neighbors told police they heard a popping sound like firecrackers and then spotted flames coming from the rear of the house. Firefighters said the blaze started on the back porch of the house and spread to the interior of the first floor. It burned up through the walls into the attic before it was brought under control.
The house has been vacant for two or three years and the ownership is unclear, police said.
There was no insurance and the house is expected to be declared a total loss, police said.