Fire destroys vacant duplex house

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a vacant duplex house at 310-3101/2 Pine St. early today.
Fire Chief Jim Donston said the alarm came in around 1:50 a.m. and firefighters found the structure fully engulfed in flames.
The structure was too far gone to be saved, he said, declaring it a total loss.
Authorities didn't know the name of the property owner this morning.
Donston said the fire damaged the siding and broke a couple of windows in the house next door at 312 Pine St.
It also charred the back of a couch in that home, occupied by Chrissy Hoover and her two children.
They fled their home on their own and were being assisted by the American Red Cross in finding temporary lodging, the chief said.
Firefighters remained on the scene until shortly after 5 a.m.